Mumbai  : In a volatile trade, the BSE benchmark index Sensex on Tuesday dropped nearly 190 points due to profit booking by investors as poor performance by the ruling party raised concerns over its ability to push reforms to boost the economic growth.

The 30-share index shuttled between a high of 17,691.96 and a low of 17,128.28 during the session.

The barometer lost another 189.58 points, or 1.09 per cent to 17,173.29 points. It had lost 274 points in the previous session.

The falling stocks received another jolt following a weakening trend in the Asian region and lower opening in Europe after China cut its growth target for this year.

On the similar lines, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 57.95, or 1.10 per cent, to 5,222.40, after touching a high of 5,382.05 points.

The heaviest on the benchmark, Reliance Industries, fell by 2.68 per cent and country’s leading aluminium state-run Hindalco dropped by 5.75 per cent.

Among other major losers, Sterlite Industries tumbled by 5.44 per cent, Tata Steel by 5.40 per cent, Tata Power by 4.11 per cent and Jindal Steel by 3.76 per cent.

Telecom major Bharti Airtel fell by 3.66 per cent, BHEL by 3.23 per cent, Tata Motors by 2.72 per cent and Larsen and Toubro by 2.44 per cent.