Exit Polls Predict Hat-Trick for PM Modi, BJP Gains Ground in South India
NEW DELHI: The exit polls predicted a hat-trick for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and one of them, India Chanakya, breaking with most of the rest, gave the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) the “400 paar” verdict. The BJP was seen making a big headway in the south, and could open its account in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
As polling for the 18th Lok Sabha elections came to an end on Saturday, the exit polls showed that the Modi government faced no anti-incumbency and the NDA would be back in power with a bigger mandate with around 359-365 seats.
The Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc, according to most exit polls, is expected to win between 125 and 145 Lok Sabha seats, while Others are predicted to take 37 seats.
Breaking his “maun vrat” on Saturday, Modi said, “I can say with confidence people of India have voted in record numbers to re-elect the NDA government… Opportunistic INDI alliance failed to strike a chord with the voters.” He called the Opposition parties “casteist, communal and corrupt”.
“Through the poll campaign, the Opposition alliance only enhanced its expertise in Modi-bashing. People rejected such regressive politics. Heartfelt thanks to all those who voted, will especiallyapprecia
In the 2019 general election, the UPA was restricted to 93 seats, while the NDA bagged 353 out of which the BJP alone won 303 seats. This time the BJP had changed 134 sitting MPs across the country and its anticipated hat-trick, as per exit polls, is powered by performance in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
In West Bengal, the BJP is expected to go up substantially from 18 out of total 42 seats in 2019. The Axis My India exit poll said the numbers this year could be as high as 26-31 seats. The Trinamul Congress may get relegated to 11-14 and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc may get just about two seats.
The exit polls have also predicted that NDA will do well in the southern states and in a big surprise the BJP may get a seat or two in Kerala, where it has been struggling to make inroads.
BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar, according to exit polls, seems to be having an upper hand over Congress’ three-time MP Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram.
The BJP is also expected to sweep Karnataka and open its account in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, where the BJP contested in 23 and formed an alliance with smaller parties on the remaining 16 seats in the state, the NDA is expected to bag 2-4 out of 39 seats, say exit polls.
State BJP chief K. Annamalai said that the BJP is growing in Tamil Nadu independently and not riding on anyone’s shoulders any more. Also, its erstwhile ally, the AIADMK, seems to be in a better position due to anti-incumbency against the DMK.
In Maharashtra, out of 48 seats the NDA may get 28-32 out of which the BJP may bag 20-22 seats, said the poll.
Out of 14 seats it contested, the Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena is expected to win around 8-10 seats and Ajit Pawar’s NCP may get 1-2 seats compared to Sharad Pawar’s party, which may get 3-5 seats. The Congress is expected to get 3-4 seats, while Uddhav Thackrey’s (UBT) Shiv Sena may get 9-11 out of 23 seats it contested. In Baramati, Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule seems to have an edge over her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar. However, regional news channels of Maharashtra gave the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of UBT and Sharad Pawar an edge over the other grouping.
President Droupadi Murmu is likely to host a dinner for the outgoing council of ministers on June 5, Wednesday.