Hours after the BJP in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/congress-madhya-pradesh-government-will-fall-on-its-own-bjp-220113">Madhya Pradesh</a> asked the Congress government to prove its majority and wrote to the state governor for convening a special session of the state Assembly, Chief Minister Kamal Nath Monday said he was all prepared to go for the floor test.

Nath also claimed that he had proven the majority of his coalition government "four times" in the last five months, and is ready to do so again.

Earlier in the day, the BJP wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel, asking her to convene a special session of the House.

"I have already told them...The BJP is trying it for long. I have proved majority in the House four times in the last five months and I am ready for floor test again," Nath told PTI late evening.

He said the BJP was talking about the instability of the Congress-led government as it wanted to save itself from getting "exposed" on its erstwhile corrupt rule.

The chief minister said the BJP had lost on the floor of the House on earlier occasions as well but didn't elaborate.

On earlier occasions, the Congres had managed to elect Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the party even after the BJP demanded the division of votes.

The Congress had also passed the supplementary Budget and regular Budget in the House.

In the Assembly polls last year, the Congress won 114 of the state's 230 seats, two short of the majority mark of 116. The Bahujan Samaj Party, having two MLAs, and Samajwadi Party, which has one, are supporting the Congress. There are four Independents. The BJP won 109 seats.

In his letter to the governor, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Gopal Bhargava stated that the party wanted a discussion on important issues like the farm loan waiver and (to) test the government's strength.

The development came a day after the majority of exit polls predicted the return of the BJP-led NDA to power for the second term.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Hours after the BJP in Madhya Pradesh asked the Congress government to prove its majority and wrote to the state governor for convening a special session of the state Assembly, Chief Minister Kamal Nath Monday said he was all prepared to go for the floor test.

Hours after the BJP in Madhya Pradesh asked the Congress government to prove its majority and wrote to the state governor for convening a special session of the state Assembly, Chief Minister Kamal Nath Monday said he was all prepared to go for the floor test. Nath also claimed that he had proven the majority of his coalition government "four times" in the last five months, and is ready to do so again. Earlier in the day, the BJP wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel, asking her to convene a special session of the House. "I have already told them...The BJP is trying it for long. I have proved majority in the House four times in the last five months and I am ready for floor test again," Nath told PTI late evening. He said the BJP was talking about the instability of the Congress-led government as it wanted to save itself from getting "exposed" on its erstwhile corrupt rule. The chief minister said the BJP had lost on the floor of the House on earlier occasions as well but didn't elaborate. On earlier occasions, the Congres had managed to elect Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the party even after the BJP demanded the division of votes. The Congress had also passed the supplementary Budget and regular Budget in the House. In the Assembly polls last year, the Congress won 114 of the state's 230 seats, two short of the majority mark of 116. The Bahujan Samaj Party, having two MLAs, and Samajwadi Party, which has one, are supporting the Congress. There are four Independents. The BJP won 109 seats. In his letter to the governor, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Gopal Bhargava stated that the party wanted a discussion on important issues like the farm loan waiver and (to) test the government's strength. The development came a day after the majority of exit polls predicted the return of the BJP-led NDA to power for the second term.

Ready for floor test: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has slammed exit polls that predict the second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi while raising concerns over the credibility of electronic voting machines (EVM) just ahead of the big Lok Sabha election results.

Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy slams exit polls, Targeted at EVMs

With <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">exit polls going live with their predictions</a> for the Lok Sabha 2019 results on Sunday, one thing that looks imminent is the BJP making a clean sweep in most of the Hindi heartland of the country. The party is slated to win the general elections with a clear majority, comfortably bagging over 300 seats, the pollsters said.&nbsp;

As per various exit polls, the BJP is set to steal the show in states like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lions-share-of-uttar-pradeshs-seats-going-to-bjp-predict-exit-polls-219936">Uttar Pradesh</a>, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

In Rajasthan, the NDA is looking to bag over 20 seats out of a total of 25 seats, C-Voter predicted. Today's Chanakya predicted the BJP making a clean sweep in Rajasthan, winning all 25 seats.&nbsp;

The prediction is almost similar for Gujarat where C-Voter predicted the BJP to claim victory on 22 of 26 seats - a slight dip from its 2014 tally when it had swept the state. Today's Chanakya, however, predicted that the party will make a clean sweep, registering a win on all 26 seats.&nbsp;

In Madhya Pradesh, where 29 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, pollsters predicted 25 to 27 seats to go to BJP's kitty. Today's Chanakya showed 27 seats for the BJP while the Congress will settle with 2. The IPSOS exit poll predicted 24 to 27 seats for the BJP and 2 to 4 for the Congress in the state.

The Aaj Tak Axis poll suggested the BJP would register a massive win in Madhya Pradesh with 26 to 28 seats.&nbsp;

The BJP-led NDA is slated to get the lion's share of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, as per exit polls. Times Now-VMR said NDA will get 58 seats in the state, C-Voter predicted 38 seats for the party. The poll of polls, a collection of various exit polls, suggested 43 seats for the NDA.

It is going to be a flop show for the Congress-RJD alliance and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/flop-show-for-congress-rjd-in-bihar-says-pollsters-nda-to-win-big-219966">a thumping victory for the NDA in Bihar</a>, exit polls depicted on Sunday. Out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6.&nbsp;

The News18-IPSOS survey gives 34-36 seats to the NDA in Bihar while Congress-RJD is likely to bag 4 to 6 seats. Today's Chanakya projected NDA to win 32 seats and Congress to claim 8. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pollsters-predict-bjp-to-make-a-clean-sweep-in-delhi-on-all-7-seats-219933">In the national capital, exit polls</a> predicted all seven seats to go to the Bharatiya Janata Party.&nbsp;

In 2014, the BJP, along with its NDA constituents had won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre - the first time in about three decades that a party had won such a huge number of seats.

The final results of Lok Sabha 2019 polls will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

Watch: Reliability, methodology and other things you need to know

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&nbsp;

With exit polls going live with their predictions for the Lok Sabha 2019 results on Sunday, one thing that looks imminent is the BJP making a clean sweep in most of the Hindi heartland of the country.

With exit polls going live with their predictions for the Lok Sabha 2019 results on Sunday, one thing that looks imminent is the BJP making a clean sweep in most of the Hindi heartland of the country. The party is slated to win the general elections with a clear majority, comfortably bagging over 300 seats, the pollsters said. As per various exit polls, the BJP is set to steal the show in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In Rajasthan, the NDA is looking to bag over 20 seats out of a total of 25 seats, C-Voter predicted. Today's Chanakya predicted the BJP making a clean sweep in Rajasthan, winning all 25 seats. The prediction is almost similar for Gujarat where C-Voter predicted the BJP to claim victory on 22 of 26 seats - a slight dip from its 2014 tally when it had swept the state. Today's Chanakya, however, predicted that the party will make a clean sweep, registering a win on all 26 seats. In Madhya Pradesh, where 29 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, pollsters predicted 25 to 27 seats to go to BJP's kitty. Today's Chanakya showed 27 seats for the BJP while the Congress will settle with 2. The IPSOS exit poll predicted 24 to 27 seats for the BJP and 2 to 4 for the Congress in the state. The Aaj Tak Axis poll suggested the BJP would register a massive win in Madhya Pradesh with 26 to 28 seats. The BJP-led NDA is slated to get the lion's share of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, as per exit polls. Times Now-VMR said NDA will get 58 seats in the state, C-Voter predicted 38 seats for the party. The poll of polls, a collection of various exit polls, suggested 43 seats for the NDA. It is going to be a flop show for the Congress-RJD alliance and a thumping victory for the NDA in Bihar, exit polls depicted on Sunday. Out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6. The News18-IPSOS survey gives 34-36 seats to the NDA in Bihar while Congress-RJD is likely to bag 4 to 6 seats. Today's Chanakya projected NDA to win 32 seats and Congress to claim 8. In the national capital, exit polls predicted all seven seats to go to the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2014, the BJP, along with its NDA constituents had won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre - the first time in about three decades that a party had won such a huge number of seats. The final results of Lok Sabha 2019 polls will be announced on May 23. Watch: Reliability, methodology and other things you need to know ×

BJP in country's Hindi heartland: Exit polls spell thumping victory for party in Madhya Pradesh, 4 other states

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">Going by the exit polls</a>, Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress will retain her hold in West Bengal but at the cost of loss of seat share. The BJP, on the other hand, is predicted to make significant inroads into the state bagging seats in double-digits.&nbsp;

While 'Poll of polls'&nbsp;predicted 15 seats for the NDA and 25 for the TMC, Times Now-VMR showed 11 seats going to the NDA and 28 to the TMC.&nbsp;

ABP Neilsen survey said that the TMC will keep 24 Lok Sabha seats in the state while 16 will go to the BJP. Of the total 42 seats in West Bengal, the NDA is likely to win 11 and TMC would settle with 29 seats, Republic C-Voter predicted.

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The predictions pronounce a significant shift in voting trend in West Bengal as the TMC is shown to bear a loss of as many as 10 seats this Lok Sabha polls while the NDA is likely to benefit on around 14 seats.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
It must be remembered that during the last Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee's TMC registered&nbsp;a massive victory on over 34 seats. The Congress kept 4 seats while the CPI(M) and the BJP settled with two seats each. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This year's Lok Sabha polls witnessed a dramatic political play in West Bengal with many incidents of violence and unrest reported in almost phases of the seven-phased general elections. West Bengal also topped the turnout tally in almost all phases of the general elections. TMC and BJP workers sparred at many incidents and time and again the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged Centre's interference in the state.&nbsp;

The Modi-wave however, seemed to have a significant drive in the state. The exit polls predict that BJP's strengthened image and Modi's increased popularity may affect the electoral outcome in the state.&nbsp;

While the exit polls predict the electoral battle in West Bengal to result in a dramatic swing of seats from TMC's kitty to BJP's bag, final results are awaited and will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

Watch: Exit Polls show BJP emerges as second largest party in West Bengal

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Meanwhile, Banerjee has dubbed exit polls as "gossip" and has said that she doesn't trust such surveys as the "game plan" is to use them for "manipulation" of EVMs.

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I don’t trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/1130112216202526720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I don't trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together," Banerjee said in a tweet.

 
&nbsp;

Going by the exit polls, Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress will retain her hold in West Bengal but at the cost of loss of seat share. The BJP, on the other hand, is predicted to make significant inroads into the state bagging seats in double-digits.

Going by the exit polls, Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress will retain her hold in West Bengal but at the cost of loss of seat share. The BJP, on the other hand, is predicted to make significant inroads into the state bagging seats in double-digits. While 'Poll of polls' predicted 15 seats for the NDA and 25 for the TMC, Times Now-VMR showed 11 seats going to the NDA and 28 to the TMC. ABP Neilsen survey said that the TMC will keep 24 Lok Sabha seats in the state while 16 will go to the BJP. Of the total 42 seats in West Bengal, the NDA is likely to win 11 and TMC would settle with 29 seats, Republic C-Voter predicted. The predictions pronounce a significant shift in voting trend in West Bengal as the TMC is shown to bear a loss of as many as 10 seats this Lok Sabha polls while the NDA is likely to benefit on around 14 seats. It must be remembered that during the last Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee's TMC registered a massive victory on over 34 seats. The Congress kept 4 seats while the CPI(M) and the BJP settled with two seats each. This year's Lok Sabha polls witnessed a dramatic political play in West Bengal with many incidents of violence and unrest reported in almost phases of the seven-phased general elections. West Bengal also topped the turnout tally in almost all phases of the general elections. TMC and BJP workers sparred at many incidents and time and again the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged Centre's interference in the state. The Modi-wave however, seemed to have a significant drive in the state. The exit polls predict that BJP's strengthened image and Modi's increased popularity may affect the electoral outcome in the state. While the exit polls predict the electoral battle in West Bengal to result in a dramatic swing of seats from TMC's kitty to BJP's bag, final results are awaited and will be announced on May 23. Watch: Exit Polls show BJP emerges as second largest party in West Bengal × Meanwhile, Banerjee has dubbed exit polls as "gossip" and has said that she doesn't trust such surveys as the "game plan" is to use them for "manipulation" of EVMs. I don’t trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 19, 2019 × "I don't trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together," Banerjee said in a tweet.

In West Bengal, pollsters predict considerable loss to Mamata; NDA to make significant inroads

Equity markets will track election trends this week as the exit polls showed that the ruling NDA is likely to come back to power.

The results of the seven-phase polls will come out Thursday and experts opined that markets have partly discounted exit poll outcome in the last few days.

Most exit polls Sunday forecast another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with some of them projecting that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">BJP-led NDA will get more than 300 seats</a> to comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 in the Lok Sabha.

Regulator Sebi and stock exchanges have beefed up their surveillance mechanism to check any manipulative activities in the market this week in view of the high-octane election-related events lined up.

"Most exit polls have predicted NDA to win the Lok Sabha elections with a good margin. This was partly discounted in the markets over the last few days. The street would like it even more if the BJP on its own gets a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lions-share-of-uttar-pradeshs-seats-going-to-bjp-predict-exit-polls-219936">majority in the Lok Sabha</a>.

"However, going by the way the exit polls in the last two elections were off the mark from the actual numbers, the markets would get excited but not super excited," said Deepak Jasani, Head, Retail Research.

Investors should also brace for bouts of volatility in view of the high-octane election-related events, the analysts said.

Experts are of the opinion that bourses may be indecisive till the final election outcome is known.

"This week there is an event that is able to produce long-term trends in the market and is the factor that sets the tone for wealth creation. The political events like election results usually produce trends that last for years. Hence, it becomes very important for the economy and investors," said Mustafa Nadeem, CEO, Epic Research.

There can be sharp movement in the markets but the exit polls bring some decisiveness on the table as well, he added.

"This week is going to be the most happening of the year wherein all eyes would be glued to not 'stock quotes' but 'vote quotes'," said Jimeet Modi, Founder and CEO, SAMCO Securities &amp; StockNote.

Quarterly earnings would also impact trading as some major companies are scheduled to announce their financial report card this week, including Tata Motors, Canara Bank and Cipla.

Besides, the US-China trade-related issues, crude oil prices, rupee movement and foreign funds trend would influence trading sentiment, they added. 
During the last week, the BSE Sensex gained 467.78 points or 1.24 per cent.

On Friday, the 30-share benchmark closed 537.29 points or 1.44 per cent, higher at 37,930.77. Similarly, the broader Nifty rose 150.05 points, or 1.33 per cent, to settle at 11,407.15.

"Indian markets have shown tremendous strength before the long-awaited exit polls, despite the ongoing ambiguity in US-China trade talks," said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, Senior VP and Head of Research (Wealth), Centrum Broking Limited.&nbsp;

Equity markets will track election trends this week as the exit polls showed that the ruling NDA is likely to come back to power. The results of the seven-phase polls will come out Thursday and experts opined that markets have partly discounted exit poll outcome in the last few days.

Equity markets will track election trends this week as the exit polls showed that the ruling NDA is likely to come back to power. The results of the seven-phase polls will come out Thursday and experts opined that markets have partly discounted exit poll outcome in the last few days. Most exit polls Sunday forecast another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with some of them projecting that BJP-led NDA will get more than 300 seats to comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 in the Lok Sabha. Regulator Sebi and stock exchanges have beefed up their surveillance mechanism to check any manipulative activities in the market this week in view of the high-octane election-related events lined up. "Most exit polls have predicted NDA to win the Lok Sabha elections with a good margin. This was partly discounted in the markets over the last few days. The street would like it even more if the BJP on its own gets a majority in the Lok Sabha. "However, going by the way the exit polls in the last two elections were off the mark from the actual numbers, the markets would get excited but not super excited," said Deepak Jasani, Head, Retail Research. Investors should also brace for bouts of volatility in view of the high-octane election-related events, the analysts said. Experts are of the opinion that bourses may be indecisive till the final election outcome is known. "This week there is an event that is able to produce long-term trends in the market and is the factor that sets the tone for wealth creation. The political events like election results usually produce trends that last for years. Hence, it becomes very important for the economy and investors," said Mustafa Nadeem, CEO, Epic Research. There can be sharp movement in the markets but the exit polls bring some decisiveness on the table as well, he added. "This week is going to be the most happening of the year wherein all eyes would be glued to not 'stock quotes' but 'vote quotes'," said Jimeet Modi, Founder and CEO, SAMCO Securities & StockNote. Quarterly earnings would also impact trading as some major companies are scheduled to announce their financial report card this week, including Tata Motors, Canara Bank and Cipla. Besides, the US-China trade-related issues, crude oil prices, rupee movement and foreign funds trend would influence trading sentiment, they added. During the last week, the BSE Sensex gained 467.78 points or 1.24 per cent. On Friday, the 30-share benchmark closed 537.29 points or 1.44 per cent, higher at 37,930.77. Similarly, the broader Nifty rose 150.05 points, or 1.33 per cent, to settle at 11,407.15. "Indian markets have shown tremendous strength before the long-awaited exit polls, despite the ongoing ambiguity in US-China trade talks," said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, Senior VP and Head of Research (Wealth), Centrum Broking Limited.

Exit polls, election outcome to set tone for markets

For Bihar, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">the exit polls predict</a> that out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6.&nbsp;

The News18-IPSOS survey gives 34-36 seats to the NDA in Bihar while Congress-RJD is likely to bag 4 to 6 seats. Today's Chanakya projected NDA to win 32 seats and Congress to claim 8. &nbsp;

Two other pollsters - Jan ki Baat and C-Voter also showed the Modi-Nitish duo to stump the Mahagathbandhan. While the former estimated 28 to 33 seats to go to the NDA in the state and 8 to 11 seats for Congress, the latter said the NDA should be able to comfortably bag 33 seats leaving 7 for the Congress.&nbsp;

In 2014, the result threw the electoral victory in BJP's favour which registered a win on 22 seats. Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) won on 6 seats, Lalu Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) settled with 4.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TCPoll?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TCPoll</a> 
Bihar LS Seat Projection 
BJP+ 32 ± 4 Seats 
Congress+ 8 ± 4 Seats 
Others 0 ± 1 Seats<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/News24TodaysChanakya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#News24TodaysChanakya</a>
— Today's Chanakya (@TodaysChanakya) <a href="https://twitter.com/TodaysChanakya/status/1130125751859073024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The exit polls seem to predict the electoral result in BJP's favour, suggesting that the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party won't be impacted by the coming together of regional alliances and is likely to retain the throne at the Centre.

While the Times Now-VMR exit poll says the BJP-led NDA will win 306 of the 542 seats and the UPA will settle at 132, Republic C-Voter says the NDA will win 287 seats and UPA 128. Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey.

The News18-IPSOS survey predicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return with 336 seats for the NDA.

In 2014, the BJP, along with its NDA constituents had won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre - the first time in about three decades that a party had won such a huge number of seats.

&nbsp;

For Bihar, the exit polls predict that out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6.

For Bihar, the exit polls predict that out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6. The News18-IPSOS survey gives 34-36 seats to the NDA in Bihar while Congress-RJD is likely to bag 4 to 6 seats. Today's Chanakya projected NDA to win 32 seats and Congress to claim 8. Two other pollsters - Jan ki Baat and C-Voter also showed the Modi-Nitish duo to stump the Mahagathbandhan. While the former estimated 28 to 33 seats to go to the NDA in the state and 8 to 11 seats for Congress, the latter said the NDA should be able to comfortably bag 33 seats leaving 7 for the Congress. In 2014, the result threw the electoral victory in BJP's favour which registered a win on 22 seats. Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) won on 6 seats, Lalu Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) settled with 4. #TCPoll Bihar LS Seat Projection BJP+ 32 ± 4 Seats Congress+ 8 ± 4 Seats Others 0 ± 1 Seats#News24TodaysChanakya — Today's Chanakya (@TodaysChanakya) May 19, 2019 × The exit polls seem to predict the electoral result in BJP's favour, suggesting that the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party won't be impacted by the coming together of regional alliances and is likely to retain the throne at the Centre. While the Times Now-VMR exit poll says the BJP-led NDA will win 306 of the 542 seats and the UPA will settle at 132, Republic C-Voter says the NDA will win 287 seats and UPA 128. Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey. The News18-IPSOS survey predicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return with 336 seats for the NDA. In 2014, the BJP, along with its NDA constituents had won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre - the first time in about three decades that a party had won such a huge number of seats.

Flop show for Congress-RJD in Bihar, says pollsters; NDA to win big 

The marathon seven-phased Lok Sabha polls concluded on Sunday, and shortly after that, exit polls are predicting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA is coming back to power at the Centre with close to 300 seats.

While the Times Now-VMR exit poll says the BJP-led NDA will win 306 of the 542 seats and the UPA will settle at 132, Republic C-Voter says the NDA will win 287 seats and UPA 128. Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey.

The News18-IPSOS survey predicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return with 336 seats for NDA.

Times Now-VMR survey predicted that the BJP would emerge as the single largest party winning 262 seats, after the end of mammoth seven-phase polling for the 542 of the 543 parliamentary constituencies. The BJP, on its own, may fall short of a majority by nine seats.
<img alt="Exit poll predictions" data-caption="Exit poll predictions." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6c4e1065-2bcb-403e-b4f8-35d1e42387fe" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Exit%20poll%20GFX.jpg" />
The results will be announced on May 23 and the new government will be formed next week.

Zee News is also showing the "poll of polls" Maha Exit Poll which includes details of all the exit poll surveys released by different pollsters and TV news channels.

Exit polls have been used for years to provide the pulse of India's political climate once voting is over. They try to give a sense of how voters may have exercised their franchise and which political party or alliance of parties stand the best chance of forming the next government.

Watch: Congress&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Sheila Dixit&nbsp;and BJP's&nbsp;Sudesh Verma react to the exit poll predictions:

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Exit poll is an exercise where psephologists follow a systematic and scientific manner in putting out possible number of seats that a political party or alliance could muster up at the end of voting.

The marathon seven-phased Lok Sabha polls concluded on Sunday, and shortly after that, exit polls are predicting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA is coming back to power at the Centre with close to 300 seats.

The marathon seven-phased Lok Sabha polls concluded on Sunday, and shortly after that, exit polls are predicting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA is coming back to power at the Centre with close to 300 seats. While the Times Now-VMR exit poll says the BJP-led NDA will win 306 of the 542 seats and the UPA will settle at 132, Republic C-Voter says the NDA will win 287 seats and UPA 128. Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey. The News18-IPSOS survey predicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return with 336 seats for NDA. Times Now-VMR survey predicted that the BJP would emerge as the single largest party winning 262 seats, after the end of mammoth seven-phase polling for the 542 of the 543 parliamentary constituencies. The BJP, on its own, may fall short of a majority by nine seats. The results will be announced on May 23 and the new government will be formed next week. Zee News is also showing the "poll of polls" Maha Exit Poll which includes details of all the exit poll surveys released by different pollsters and TV news channels. Exit polls have been used for years to provide the pulse of India's political climate once voting is over. They try to give a sense of how voters may have exercised their franchise and which political party or alliance of parties stand the best chance of forming the next government. Watch: Congress leader Sheila Dixit and BJP's Sudesh Verma react to the exit poll predictions: × Exit poll is an exercise where psephologists follow a systematic and scientific manner in putting out possible number of seats that a political party or alliance could muster up at the end of voting.

Exit polls 2019: PM Modi returning to power with 300-plus seats, say pollsters

With the last of leg of the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls coming to an end on Sunday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">exit polls&nbsp;predicted a massive win</a> for the PM Narendra Modi-led BJP in the 2019 general elections.&nbsp;

One of the biggest and the most interesting predictions was for the national capital wherein polls predicted all seven seats to go to the Bharatiya Janata Party.&nbsp;

As per Today's Chanakya, the BJP is predicted to keep all seven seats in the national capital with other major parties scoring nil.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TCPoll?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TCPoll</a> 
Delhi LS Seat Projection 
BJP 7 ± 2 Seats 
AAP 0 ± 1 Seats 
Congress 0 ± 1 Seats 
Others NIL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/News24TodaysChanakya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#News24TodaysChanakya</a>
— Today's Chanakya (@TodaysChanakya) <a href="https://twitter.com/TodaysChanakya/status/1130099103415689218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Polstrat exit polls suggested AAP washed out in Delhi and the BJP to get all 7 seats. India TV also predicted that the BJP will bag all 7 seats out in the national capital.&nbsp;

In the 2014 elections, the BJP has registered a win on all seven seats in the national capital.&nbsp;

Pollsters predicted a massive win for the BJP this Lok Sabha polls. C-Voter predicted NDA's win on 287 seats while Times Now-VMR showed a massive win for the party with 306 seats. Congress is likely to bag between 128 to 132 seats as per the two pollsters.&nbsp;

Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey.

Watch: Congress&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Sheila Dixit&nbsp;and BJP's&nbsp;Sudesh Verma react to the exit poll predictions:

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All seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-nationalist-congress-party-supremo-sharad-pawar-meets-n-chandrababu-naidu-in-delhi-219863">national capital</a> - Chandni Chowk, East Delhi, New Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, South Delhi and West Delhi - went to polls in the sixth leg of Lok Sabha polls on May 12.&nbsp;

Counting of votes will be held on May 23 and the results will be announced on the same day. &nbsp;

With the last of leg of the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls coming to an end on Sunday, exit polls predicted a massive win for the PM Narendra Modi-led BJP in the 2019 general elections.

With the last of leg of the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls coming to an end on Sunday, exit polls predicted a massive win for the PM Narendra Modi-led BJP in the 2019 general elections. One of the biggest and the most interesting predictions was for the national capital wherein polls predicted all seven seats to go to the Bharatiya Janata Party. As per Today's Chanakya, the BJP is predicted to keep all seven seats in the national capital with other major parties scoring nil. #TCPoll Delhi LS Seat Projection BJP 7 ± 2 Seats AAP 0 ± 1 Seats Congress 0 ± 1 Seats Others NIL#News24TodaysChanakya — Today's Chanakya (@TodaysChanakya) May 19, 2019 × Polstrat exit polls suggested AAP washed out in Delhi and the BJP to get all 7 seats. India TV also predicted that the BJP will bag all 7 seats out in the national capital. In the 2014 elections, the BJP has registered a win on all seven seats in the national capital. Pollsters predicted a massive win for the BJP this Lok Sabha polls. C-Voter predicted NDA's win on 287 seats while Times Now-VMR showed a massive win for the party with 306 seats. Congress is likely to bag between 128 to 132 seats as per the two pollsters. Others, which include regional parties, will get 120 seats according to Times Now-VMR and 87 according to Republic C-Voter survey. Watch: Congress leader Sheila Dixit and BJP's Sudesh Verma react to the exit poll predictions: × All seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the national capital - Chandni Chowk, East Delhi, New Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, South Delhi and West Delhi - went to polls in the sixth leg of Lok Sabha polls on May 12. Counting of votes will be held on May 23 and the results will be announced on the same day.

Exit polls 2019: Pollsters predict BJP to make a clean sweep in Delhi on all 7 seats

The Election Commission is learnt to have asked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-over-166000-terrorist-accounts-for-promoting-terrorism-217484">Twitter</a> to take down an exit poll-related tweet.

The EC's move came after it received<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-facebook-twitter-have-to-do-more-to-fight-fake-news-european-union-212915"> certain "complaint"</a>, sources aware of the development said Thursday, adding that the user later removed the tweet.

The sources, however, did not specify the complaint.

"There is no such general order issued by ECI today. Only one case was reported to us today which the user himself removed," a senior functionary said.

The move came a day after it issued a show-cause notice to three media outlets for allegedly publishing a survey "predicting results" of Lok Sabha elections.

Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act states that "no person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the print or electronic media... The result of any exit poll during such period... In case of a general election, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for a poll on the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll in all the states and union territories."

The section also prescribes that any person, who contravenes the provisions of this section, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.

Polling for the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held on May 19.

The Election Commission is learnt to have asked Twitter to take down an exit poll-related tweet. The EC's move came after it received certain "complaint", sources aware of the development said Thursday, adding that the user later removed the tweet.

The Election Commission is learnt to have asked Twitter to take down an exit poll-related tweet. The EC's move came after it received certain "complaint", sources aware of the development said Thursday, adding that the user later removed the tweet. The sources, however, did not specify the complaint. "There is no such general order issued by ECI today. Only one case was reported to us today which the user himself removed," a senior functionary said. The move came a day after it issued a show-cause notice to three media outlets for allegedly publishing a survey "predicting results" of Lok Sabha elections. Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act states that "no person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the print or electronic media... The result of any exit poll during such period... In case of a general election, the period may commence from the beginning of the hours fixed for a poll on the first day of poll and continue till half an hour after closing of the poll in all the states and union territories." The section also prescribes that any person, who contravenes the provisions of this section, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both. Polling for the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held on May 19.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Election Commission asks Twitter India to remove all tweets related to exit polls

Israel's Netanyahu announces 'colossal victory' after election exit polls

"I am not prepared to accept or reject anything, let's wait for May 15," former prime minister Deve Gowda said Sunday after exit polls suggested voters have returned a hung verdict in the Karnataka elections.&nbsp;

The exit polls however give the BJP a slight edge.&nbsp;

According to the Zee Maha exit poll, the BJP is likely to win 102 seats, the Congress 92, the JD(S) 26, and others, including independents, 2.

That implies no major political party will be able to reach the halfway mark of 113 seats required for a simple majority.

If the exit polls should turn out to be correct, that will leave the JD(S) led by HD Deve Gowda in the position of kingmaker when it comes to government formation.&nbsp;

That means the the BJP or the Congress will require the support of the JD(S) to form a government in Karnataka.&nbsp;

Karnataka went to the polls on Saturday.&nbsp;

The results will be out on May 15.&nbsp;

"We will get to know the reality" then, said Deve Gowda on Sunday.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-says-exit-polls-are-entertainment-after-they-give-bjp-edge-in-karnataka-tells-party-workers-to-enjoy-weekend-136452">Siddaramaiah says exit polls are 'entertainment' after they give BJP edge in Karnataka</a>

Here is what the major exit poll surveys projected for Karnataka:

- According to the Suvarna exit poll, the Congress is likely to win 106-118 seats, the BJP 79-92, the JD(S) 22-30, and others 1-4 seats.

- According to the ABP exit poll, the BJP is likely to win 97-109 seats, the Congress 87-99, the JD(S) 21-30, and others 1-8.&nbsp;

- The Republic TV Jan Ki Baat exit poll says the BJP will be the single largest party with 95-114 seats. The Congress is likely to win 73-82, the JD(S) 32-42 seats, and others 2 to 3 seats in Karnataka. In the 2013 Karnataka elections, the Congress had won 122 seats, the BJP and JD(S) ended up with 40 seats each, while 22 seats were won by others and independents.

- According to the IndiaTV-VMR exit poll, the BJP will win 87 seats, the Congress will win 97 seats, and the JD(S) 35 seats. &nbsp;

- The News X-CNX exit poll survey predicts the BJP will emerge as the single largest party in Karnataka with 102-110 seats, the Congress will come second with 72-78 seats, the JD(S) third with 35-39 seats, while others will get 3-5 seats.

- According to the Times Now-VMR exit poll, the Congress will win 90-103 seats, the BJP 82-93, the JD(S) 31-39 and others 2-4.

Karnataka has a 225-member assembly.&nbsp;

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I am not prepared to accept or reject anything, let's wait for 15th May (counting of votes ), we will get to know the reality: Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/ffOPCubX0B">pic.twitter.com/ffOPCubX0B</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995535682822000640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The exit polls give the BJP a slight edge. 'Let's wait for 15th May,' said Gowda. 'We will get to know the reality'

"I am not prepared to accept or reject anything, let's wait for May 15," former prime minister Deve Gowda said Sunday after exit polls suggested voters have returned a hung verdict in the Karnataka elections. The exit polls however give the BJP a slight edge. According to the Zee Maha exit poll, the BJP is likely to win 102 seats, the Congress 92, the JD(S) 26, and others, including independents, 2. That implies no major political party will be able to reach the halfway mark of 113 seats required for a simple majority. If the exit polls should turn out to be correct, that will leave the JD(S) led by HD Deve Gowda in the position of kingmaker when it comes to government formation. That means the the BJP or the Congress will require the support of the JD(S) to form a government in Karnataka. Karnataka went to the polls on Saturday. The results will be out on May 15. "We will get to know the reality" then, said Deve Gowda on Sunday. Also read: Siddaramaiah says exit polls are 'entertainment' after they give BJP edge in Karnataka Here is what the major exit poll surveys projected for Karnataka: - According to the Suvarna exit poll, the Congress is likely to win 106-118 seats, the BJP 79-92, the JD(S) 22-30, and others 1-4 seats. - According to the ABP exit poll, the BJP is likely to win 97-109 seats, the Congress 87-99, the JD(S) 21-30, and others 1-8. - The Republic TV Jan Ki Baat exit poll says the BJP will be the single largest party with 95-114 seats. The Congress is likely to win 73-82, the JD(S) 32-42 seats, and others 2 to 3 seats in Karnataka. In the 2013 Karnataka elections, the Congress had won 122 seats, the BJP and JD(S) ended up with 40 seats each, while 22 seats were won by others and independents. - According to the IndiaTV-VMR exit poll, the BJP will win 87 seats, the Congress will win 97 seats, and the JD(S) 35 seats. - The News X-CNX exit poll survey predicts the BJP will emerge as the single largest party in Karnataka with 102-110 seats, the Congress will come second with 72-78 seats, the JD(S) third with 35-39 seats, while others will get 3-5 seats. - According to the Times Now-VMR exit poll, the Congress will win 90-103 seats, the BJP 82-93, the JD(S) 31-39 and others 2-4. Karnataka has a 225-member assembly. I am not prepared to accept or reject anything, let's wait for 15th May (counting of votes ), we will get to know the reality: Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda on #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/ffOPCubX0B — ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2018 ×

Will JD(S)'s Deve Gowda support BJP or Congress in Karnataka? 'Let's wait,' he says

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Sunday that "exit opinion polls are entertainment" after they gave the BJP a slight edge in Karnataka.&nbsp;

Karnataka voted on Saturday and the exit polls are saying the people have returned a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/exit-poll-fractured-mandate-hung-assembly-likely-in-karnataka-136419">hung verdict</a>.&nbsp;

The results of the elections will be out on Tuesday, May 15.&nbsp;

"Exit opinion polls are entertainment for the next 2 days," Siddaramaiah tweeted.&nbsp;

"So, Dear party workers, supporters & well wishers, don’t worry about exit polls. Relax & enjoy your weekend," he said. Adding, "We are coming back."&nbsp;

According to the Zee Maha exit poll, the BJP is likely to win 102 seats, the Congress 92, the JD(S) 26, and others, including independents, 2.

That implies no major political party will be able to reach the halfway mark of 113 seats required for a simple majority.

If the exit polls should turn out to be correct, the JD(S) led by HD Deve Gowda will assume the role of kingmaker in government formation.&nbsp;

Though the final picture will emerge only after the counting of votes on May 15, the exit polls have shattered the Congress'&nbsp;hopes of retaining power in the state and the BJP's hopes of making a comeback, putting for now the ball in HD Deve Gowda's court.

Here is what the major exit poll surveys projected for Karnataka:

- According to the Suvarna exit poll, the Congress is likely to win 106-118 seats, the BJP 79-92, the JD(S) 22-30, and others 1-4 seats.

- According to the ABP exit poll, the BJP is likely to win 97-109 seats, the Congress 87-99, the JD(S) 21-30, and others 1-8.&nbsp;

- The Republic TV Jan Ki Baat exit poll&nbsp;says the BJP will be the single largest party with 95-114 seats. The Congress is likely to win 73-82, the JD(S) 32-42 seats, and others 2 to 3 seats in Karnataka. In the 2013 Karnataka elections, the Congress had won 122 seats, the BJP and JD(S) ended up with 40 seats each, while 22 seats were won by others and independents.

- According to the IndiaTV-VMR exit poll, the BJP will win 87 seats, the Congress will win 97 seats, and the JD(S) 35 seats. &nbsp;

- The News X-CNX exit poll survey predicts the BJP will emerge as the single largest party in Karnataka with 102-110 seats, the Congress will come second with 72-78 seats, the JD(S) third with 35-39 seats, while others will get 3-5 seats.

- According to the Times Now-VMR exit poll, the Congress will win 90-103 seats, the BJP 82-93, the JD(S) 31-39 and others 2-4.

Karnataka has a 225-member assembly.&nbsp;

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Exit opinion polls are entertainment for the next 2 days 
 
Relying on poll of polls is like a person who can’t swim crossing a river on foot relying on a statistician who told him the average depth of the river is 4 feet 
 
Please note average of 6+4+2 is 4. At 6 feet you drown! 1/2
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/995484100957007872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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So, Dear party workers, supporters & well wishers, don’t worry about exit polls. Relax & enjoy your weekend. 
 
We are coming back. 2/2
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/995484103611908098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Karnataka voted on Saturday and the exit polls are saying the people have returned a hung verdict. That would make the JD(S) headed by former prime minister HD Deve Gowda a kingmaker when it comes to government formation

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Sunday that "exit opinion polls are entertainment" after they gave the BJP a slight edge in Karnataka. Karnataka voted on Saturday and the exit polls are saying the people have returned a hung verdict. The results of the elections will be out on Tuesday, May 15. "Exit opinion polls are entertainment for the next 2 days," Siddaramaiah tweeted. "So, Dear party workers, supporters & well wishers, don’t worry about exit polls. Relax & enjoy your weekend," he said. Adding, "We are coming back." According to the Zee Maha exit poll, the BJP is likely to win 102 seats, the Congress 92, the JD(S) 26, and others, including independents, 2. That implies no major political party will be able to reach the halfway mark of 113 seats required for a simple majority. If the exit polls should turn out to be correct, the JD(S) led by HD Deve Gowda will assume the role of kingmaker in government formation. Though the final picture will emerge only after the counting of votes on May 15, the exit polls have shattered the Congress' hopes of retaining power in the state and the BJP's hopes of making a comeback, putting for now the ball in HD Deve Gowda's court. Here is what the major exit poll surveys projected for Karnataka: - According to the Suvarna exit poll, the Congress is likely to win 106-118 seats, the BJP 79-92, the JD(S) 22-30, and others 1-4 seats. - According to the ABP exit poll, the BJP is likely to win 97-109 seats, the Congress 87-99, the JD(S) 21-30, and others 1-8. - The Republic TV Jan Ki Baat exit poll says the BJP will be the single largest party with 95-114 seats. The Congress is likely to win 73-82, the JD(S) 32-42 seats, and others 2 to 3 seats in Karnataka. In the 2013 Karnataka elections, the Congress had won 122 seats, the BJP and JD(S) ended up with 40 seats each, while 22 seats were won by others and independents. - According to the IndiaTV-VMR exit poll, the BJP will win 87 seats, the Congress will win 97 seats, and the JD(S) 35 seats. - The News X-CNX exit poll survey predicts the BJP will emerge as the single largest party in Karnataka with 102-110 seats, the Congress will come second with 72-78 seats, the JD(S) third with 35-39 seats, while others will get 3-5 seats. - According to the Times Now-VMR exit poll, the Congress will win 90-103 seats, the BJP 82-93, the JD(S) 31-39 and others 2-4. Karnataka has a 225-member assembly. Exit opinion polls are entertainment for the next 2 days Relying on poll of polls is like a person who can’t swim crossing a river on foot relying on a statistician who told him the average depth of the river is 4 feet Please note average of 6+4+2 is 4. At 6 feet you drown! 1/2 — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 13, 2018 × So, Dear party workers, supporters & well wishers, don’t worry about exit polls. Relax & enjoy your weekend. We are coming back. 2/2 — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 13, 2018 ×

Siddaramaiah says exit polls are 'entertainment' after they give BJP edge in Karnataka

Two exit polls today predicted that the BJP will dethrone the Left front from power in Tripura.

According to the exit polls, the BJP will also consolidate its position in two other northeastern states of Meghalaya and Nagaland.

JanKiBaat-NewsX has predicted that the BJP-IPFT alliance in Tripura will win 35-45 seats with a vote share of 51 per cent.

While another exit poll by AxisMyIndia predicts 44-50 seats for the BJP-IPFT with a vote share of 49 per cent and others may get 0-3 seats with a vote share of 11 per cent.

The ruling Left front in Tripura is likely to get 14-23 seats with vote share of 45-46 per cent, while AxisMyIndia poll predicted the Left to win 9-15 seats with a vote share of 40 per cent.

The CVoter Exit Poll has predicted a close finish in Tripura, with the CPI-M likely to get 26 to 34 seats with 44.3 per cent vote share, the BJP and its allies 24 to 32 seats with a vote share of 42.8 per cent, while the Congress may win only 0-2 seats with a vote share of 7.2 per cent.

In Meghalaya where the Congress is in power, the JanKiBaat-NewsX exit poll shows that the National People&#39;s Party (NPP) is set to gain with 23-27 seats while the BJP will get 8-12 seats, with vote shares of 39 and 12 per cent respectively. The Congress is predicted to win 13-17 seats with a voteshare of 21 per cent and others are likely to get 2 to 6 seats.

In Nagaland, the BJP-NDPP alliance is likely to storm the ruling NPF bastion as it is predicted to win 27-32 seats with a vote share of 48 per cent, against NPF&#39;s 20-25 seats and a vote share of 42 per cent, according to the JanKiBaat-NewsX exit poll.

The Congress in Nagaland is likely to get 0-2 seats with a vote share of 4.4 per cent and others are likely to get 5-7 seats with a vote share of 5-6 per cent.

In Meghalaya, the CVoter exit poll predicts a close finish, with the Congress likely to get 13-19 seats and the NPP 17 to 23 seats, with vote shares of 36.5 and 29.4 per cent respectively.

The BJP in Meghalaya is likely to get 4-8 seats with a vote share of 16.6 per cent. The UDP-HSPDP likely to bag 8-12 seats and 8.8. Per cent vote share, while others may get 5-9 seats and a vote share of 8.7 per cent, the poll said.

In Nagaland, the exit poll claimed a victory for the NDPP-BJP which is likely to get 25-31 seats with 38.4 per cent vote share and the NPF likely to bag 19-25 seats with a vote share of 27.1 per cent.

The Congress in Nagaland is set to lose a lot with the poll predicting 0-4 seats with a vote share of 19.7 per cent, while others may get 6-10 seats with a vote share of 14.8 per cent, according to CVoter.

Each of the three states has a 60-member assembly and a party would need 31 seats to get a clear majority.

The results for the three states would be out on March 3.

While Tripura went to polls last Sunday last, voting was held in Meghalaya and Nagaland today.&nbsp;

The results for all three states will be out on March 3

Two exit polls today predicted that the BJP will dethrone the Left front from power in Tripura. According to the exit polls, the BJP will also consolidate its position in two other northeastern states of Meghalaya and Nagaland. JanKiBaat-NewsX has predicted that the BJP-IPFT alliance in Tripura will win 35-45 seats with a vote share of 51 per cent. While another exit poll by AxisMyIndia predicts 44-50 seats for the BJP-IPFT with a vote share of 49 per cent and others may get 0-3 seats with a vote share of 11 per cent. The ruling Left front in Tripura is likely to get 14-23 seats with vote share of 45-46 per cent, while AxisMyIndia poll predicted the Left to win 9-15 seats with a vote share of 40 per cent. The CVoter Exit Poll has predicted a close finish in Tripura, with the CPI-M likely to get 26 to 34 seats with 44.3 per cent vote share, the BJP and its allies 24 to 32 seats with a vote share of 42.8 per cent, while the Congress may win only 0-2 seats with a vote share of 7.2 per cent. In Meghalaya where the Congress is in power, the JanKiBaat-NewsX exit poll shows that the National People's Party (NPP) is set to gain with 23-27 seats while the BJP will get 8-12 seats, with vote shares of 39 and 12 per cent respectively. The Congress is predicted to win 13-17 seats with a voteshare of 21 per cent and others are likely to get 2 to 6 seats. In Nagaland, the BJP-NDPP alliance is likely to storm the ruling NPF bastion as it is predicted to win 27-32 seats with a vote share of 48 per cent, against NPF's 20-25 seats and a vote share of 42 per cent, according to the JanKiBaat-NewsX exit poll. The Congress in Nagaland is likely to get 0-2 seats with a vote share of 4.4 per cent and others are likely to get 5-7 seats with a vote share of 5-6 per cent. In Meghalaya, the CVoter exit poll predicts a close finish, with the Congress likely to get 13-19 seats and the NPP 17 to 23 seats, with vote shares of 36.5 and 29.4 per cent respectively. The BJP in Meghalaya is likely to get 4-8 seats with a vote share of 16.6 per cent. The UDP-HSPDP likely to bag 8-12 seats and 8.8. Per cent vote share, while others may get 5-9 seats and a vote share of 8.7 per cent, the poll said. In Nagaland, the exit poll claimed a victory for the NDPP-BJP which is likely to get 25-31 seats with 38.4 per cent vote share and the NPF likely to bag 19-25 seats with a vote share of 27.1 per cent. The Congress in Nagaland is set to lose a lot with the poll predicting 0-4 seats with a vote share of 19.7 per cent, while others may get 6-10 seats with a vote share of 14.8 per cent, according to CVoter. Each of the three states has a 60-member assembly and a party would need 31 seats to get a clear majority. The results for the three states would be out on March 3. While Tripura went to polls last Sunday last, voting was held in Meghalaya and Nagaland today.

Exit polls predict BJP win in Tripura, party to consolidate position in Meghalaya, Nagaland

The predictions made by exit polls for Gujarat seem to be a little off the mark with BJP and Congress locked in a close battle. Most of the pollsters had given BJP anywhere between 100-120 seats, and that might happen if the party is able to convert early leads into results, but Congress is emerging as the real winner.

If the early leads convert into results, the Congress is doing much better than expected. All pollsters had predicted a comfortable win for the BJP and the trends are proving pollsters wrong. Gujarat has been the BJP&#39;s laboratory and the party has held the state from 1995. Today&#39;s results not withstanding, the party will have to go back to the drawing board to see what has resulted in this massive dent in their support base in the state.

A party needs 92 seats in the 182-seat Gujarat assembly to form the government. When the campaign was launched in November, BJP president Amit Shah had claimed then party would win 150 seats. But that seems to be a very difficult target the achieve now.

In the 2012 assembly elections in Gujarat, the Congress had 61 seats and was a distant second to the BJP which had won 115. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had won all the 26 parliamentary seats in the state.

In Himachal Pradesh, trends indicate it&#39;s a close race between the Congress and the BJP with the BJP ahead in 33 of the 55 seats for which trends are available. The Congress is ahead in 19 and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was embattled with graft charges, is doing better that expected.

The state has 68 assembly seats and most pollsters predicted a comfortable victory for the BJP, giving the party 45-50 seats. That Congress wipeout doesn&#39;t seem to be happening.

Every pollster had predicted a BJP win in Himachal Pradesh. The India Today-Axis poll gave BJP 47-55 seats out of a total of 68. The ruling Congress, they said, was expected to slump to anywhere between 13-20 seats.

Today&#39;s Chanakya, another prominent pollster, had predicted 55 seats for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh and 13 for Congress.

The predictions made by exit polls for Gujarat seem to be a little off the mark with BJP and Congress locked in a close battle.

The predictions made by exit polls for Gujarat seem to be a little off the mark with BJP and Congress locked in a close battle. Most of the pollsters had given BJP anywhere between 100-120 seats, and that might happen if the party is able to convert early leads into results, but Congress is emerging as the real winner. If the early leads convert into results, the Congress is doing much better than expected. All pollsters had predicted a comfortable win for the BJP and the trends are proving pollsters wrong. Gujarat has been the BJP's laboratory and the party has held the state from 1995. Today's results not withstanding, the party will have to go back to the drawing board to see what has resulted in this massive dent in their support base in the state. A party needs 92 seats in the 182-seat Gujarat assembly to form the government. When the campaign was launched in November, BJP president Amit Shah had claimed then party would win 150 seats. But that seems to be a very difficult target the achieve now. In the 2012 assembly elections in Gujarat, the Congress had 61 seats and was a distant second to the BJP which had won 115. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had won all the 26 parliamentary seats in the state. In Himachal Pradesh, trends indicate it's a close race between the Congress and the BJP with the BJP ahead in 33 of the 55 seats for which trends are available. The Congress is ahead in 19 and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was embattled with graft charges, is doing better that expected. The state has 68 assembly seats and most pollsters predicted a comfortable victory for the BJP, giving the party 45-50 seats. That Congress wipeout doesn't seem to be happening. Every pollster had predicted a BJP win in Himachal Pradesh. The India Today-Axis poll gave BJP 47-55 seats out of a total of 68. The ruling Congress, they said, was expected to slump to anywhere between 13-20 seats. Today's Chanakya, another prominent pollster, had predicted 55 seats for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh and 13 for Congress.

Congress makes huge gains in Gujarat, Himachal, defies pollsters

Exit polls in the country have gone terribly wrong in the past. They have either underestimated the projected loser or overestimated the predicted winner. At times, these findings have even underestimated the numbers the eventual winner got, and the recent Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is the most recent example of that. On the other hand, exit polls have also been straws in the wind, showcasing a general trend that gets reflected in the actual results. In any case, there is nothing but these numbers one can debate upon until the votes are counted.

Even the stock market goes by the temporary numbers; the Sensex opened on a high on Friday. On Thursday, half a dozen exit polls conducted by psephologists on Gujarat for television news channels were in agreement that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party would gain at least a simple majority and return to power. The margin of victory fluctuated, though. The reaction of the Congress and the BJP was interestingly similar. Both said the outcome on December 18 would be better than predicted, in their respective interests.

Simplistically put, there are two ways to interpret the exit poll results. The first is from the Congress&rsquo;s angle and the other is from the BJP&rsquo;s perspective. Most pollsters have projected an improved performance by the Congress as compared to its 2012 showing. This is reflected in the number of seats and vote-share. The Congress can claim that it gave a real fight to the BJP this time around under Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s leadership. The party can also gloat that it could wean away a sizeable section of the Patidar community, who have for decades staunchly supported the BJP, to its side. The Congress can also say that it succeeded in busting the &lsquo;myth&rsquo; of the Gujarat Model, which is especially reflected in the support the party has received in rural Gujarat.

None of the above is an entirely empty boast. By most exit poll estimates, the Congress did manage to split Patidar votes in its favour; its vote share and seats have gone up since 2012, and it has done well in the rural belt of Gujarat riding on discontent over farmer&#39;s distress. However, despite all this tailwind and the formation of a novel caste- grouping comprising the Other Backward Class, the Scheduled Castes and the Patidar community, the best that one exit pollster gave the Congress was 82 seats out of a total 182.

Compare this to the worst that the BJP has been projected to end up with - 99 seats - and it becomes obvious that the Congress&rsquo;s best falls way short of the requirement. Besides, if this is all that the party can manage after having invested everything it had in the election, and with the starting advantage of more than two decades of anti-incumbency that the BJP ought to have faced, then by all objective reasoning the country&rsquo;s oldest political party has failed. And, for the record, the best that the BJP has been given by an exit poll agency is 135 seats &mdash; with the prospect of a higher eventual number.

If the exit poll results hold on December 18, the Congress will need to find suitable scapegoats. Perhaps the process has been put into motion. The Electronic Voting Machine is a prime suspect, and so is the institution of the Election Commission of India &mdash; against whom Congress supporters agitated on the streets in an unprecedented show of hostility. A Congress spokesperson even went to the extent of calling the ECI a &ldquo;puppet&rdquo; of the Union Government. The Congress is also likely to attribute its loss to the &ldquo;divisive&rdquo; campaign the BJP and launched and for having &ldquo;misled&rdquo; the people. It should not be imagined even in the wildest dreams that the newly minted Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be held accountable for the defeat.

From the BJP&rsquo;s view, the exit poll results are a source of comfort. If they are reflected on December 18, it would mean that the party has overpowered anti-incumbency for two decades. But more importantly, it would have successfully neutralised the Patidar agitation against it, which had threatened to unseat the party. Exit poll findings have shown that the BJP has done well to retain a significant section of the Patidar votes across the State, including in Saurashtra and north Gujarat where the community has a dominant presence in electoral terms. True, it has lost ground in the region according the poll projections, to the Hardik Patel factor which worked in the Congress&rsquo;s favour, but not to the extent of staring at a catastrophe.

Going by the exit poll findings, the BJP has not just contained the Patidar damage but also managed to compensate for the loss by winning over a majority of the tribal and OBC votes. In the run-up to the two-phased election, commentators had observed that the party could work on the discontent among the OBCs over the Congress&rsquo;s support to Patidar reservation. This it seems to have done with results that offer a measure of self-satisfaction. According to one exit poll finding, even a significant section of the Thakore community to which OBC leader and Congressman Alpesh Thakore belongs, voted for the BJP. In sum, the Congress, in its desire to run after the Patidar votes, has lost the tribal and the OBC voters &mdash; all of whom the BJP gratefully lapped up.

Having outwitted the Congress in caste calculation &mdash; the major plank on which for the Congress was overly dependent to snatch power &mdash; the BJP was left with no real challenge. The &lsquo;lack of development&rsquo; narrative against the BJP simply did not work for the Congress. The Congress&rsquo;s other offensives, such as personal attacks by its senior leaders and allies on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the after-thought of &lsquo;me-too Hindu&rsquo; campaign by Rahul Gandhi, served to weaken the opposition party&rsquo;s narrative. If the exit poll results get vindicated on December 18, Rahul Gandhi will have begun his innings as president on a dismal note.

The impact could be cascading; Assembly elections are due for a clutch of important States in the next year, including in Karnataka &mdash; the only major State besides Punjab where the Congress is in power. And there is the Lok Sabha poll, which is less than two years away. If indeed the Congress is the vanquished one, come Monday, there is one lesson that it must learn at all costs: It does not pay to outsource leadership. It had paid the price in Uttar Pradesh where it placed its future at Akhilesh Yadav&rsquo;s doorstep. It did the same in Gujarat, depending more on the HAJ factor (Hardik-Alpesh- Jignesh) rather than on its core strengths and issues which it alone had the credibility to raise.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

The BJP has not just contained the Patidar damage but also managed to compensate for the loss by winning over a majority of the tribal and OBC votes

Exit polls in the country have gone terribly wrong in the past. They have either underestimated the projected loser or overestimated the predicted winner. At times, these findings have even underestimated the numbers the eventual winner got, and the recent Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is the most recent example of that. On the other hand, exit polls have also been straws in the wind, showcasing a general trend that gets reflected in the actual results. In any case, there is nothing but these numbers one can debate upon until the votes are counted. Even the stock market goes by the temporary numbers; the Sensex opened on a high on Friday. On Thursday, half a dozen exit polls conducted by psephologists on Gujarat for television news channels were in agreement that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party would gain at least a simple majority and return to power. The margin of victory fluctuated, though. The reaction of the Congress and the BJP was interestingly similar. Both said the outcome on December 18 would be better than predicted, in their respective interests. Simplistically put, there are two ways to interpret the exit poll results. The first is from the Congress’s angle and the other is from the BJP’s perspective. Most pollsters have projected an improved performance by the Congress as compared to its 2012 showing. This is reflected in the number of seats and vote-share. The Congress can claim that it gave a real fight to the BJP this time around under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. The party can also gloat that it could wean away a sizeable section of the Patidar community, who have for decades staunchly supported the BJP, to its side. The Congress can also say that it succeeded in busting the ‘myth’ of the Gujarat Model, which is especially reflected in the support the party has received in rural Gujarat. None of the above is an entirely empty boast. By most exit poll estimates, the Congress did manage to split Patidar votes in its favour; its vote share and seats have gone up since 2012, and it has done well in the rural belt of Gujarat riding on discontent over farmer's distress. However, despite all this tailwind and the formation of a novel caste- grouping comprising the Other Backward Class, the Scheduled Castes and the Patidar community, the best that one exit pollster gave the Congress was 82 seats out of a total 182. Compare this to the worst that the BJP has been projected to end up with - 99 seats - and it becomes obvious that the Congress’s best falls way short of the requirement. Besides, if this is all that the party can manage after having invested everything it had in the election, and with the starting advantage of more than two decades of anti-incumbency that the BJP ought to have faced, then by all objective reasoning the country’s oldest political party has failed. And, for the record, the best that the BJP has been given by an exit poll agency is 135 seats — with the prospect of a higher eventual number. If the exit poll results hold on December 18, the Congress will need to find suitable scapegoats. Perhaps the process has been put into motion. The Electronic Voting Machine is a prime suspect, and so is the institution of the Election Commission of India — against whom Congress supporters agitated on the streets in an unprecedented show of hostility. A Congress spokesperson even went to the extent of calling the ECI a “puppet” of the Union Government. The Congress is also likely to attribute its loss to the “divisive” campaign the BJP and launched and for having “misled” the people. It should not be imagined even in the wildest dreams that the newly minted Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be held accountable for the defeat. From the BJP’s view, the exit poll results are a source of comfort. If they are reflected on December 18, it would mean that the party has overpowered anti-incumbency for two decades. But more importantly, it would have successfully neutralised the Patidar agitation against it, which had threatened to unseat the party. Exit poll findings have shown that the BJP has done well to retain a significant section of the Patidar votes across the State, including in Saurashtra and north Gujarat where the community has a dominant presence in electoral terms. True, it has lost ground in the region according the poll projections, to the Hardik Patel factor which worked in the Congress’s favour, but not to the extent of staring at a catastrophe. Going by the exit poll findings, the BJP has not just contained the Patidar damage but also managed to compensate for the loss by winning over a majority of the tribal and OBC votes. In the run-up to the two-phased election, commentators had observed that the party could work on the discontent among the OBCs over the Congress’s support to Patidar reservation. This it seems to have done with results that offer a measure of self-satisfaction. According to one exit poll finding, even a significant section of the Thakore community to which OBC leader and Congressman Alpesh Thakore belongs, voted for the BJP. In sum, the Congress, in its desire to run after the Patidar votes, has lost the tribal and the OBC voters — all of whom the BJP gratefully lapped up. Having outwitted the Congress in caste calculation — the major plank on which for the Congress was overly dependent to snatch power — the BJP was left with no real challenge. The ‘lack of development’ narrative against the BJP simply did not work for the Congress. The Congress’s other offensives, such as personal attacks by its senior leaders and allies on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the after-thought of ‘me-too Hindu’ campaign by Rahul Gandhi, served to weaken the opposition party’s narrative. If the exit poll results get vindicated on December 18, Rahul Gandhi will have begun his innings as president on a dismal note. The impact could be cascading; Assembly elections are due for a clutch of important States in the next year, including in Karnataka — the only major State besides Punjab where the Congress is in power. And there is the Lok Sabha poll, which is less than two years away. If indeed the Congress is the vanquished one, come Monday, there is one lesson that it must learn at all costs: It does not pay to outsource leadership. It had paid the price in Uttar Pradesh where it placed its future at Akhilesh Yadav’s doorstep. It did the same in Gujarat, depending more on the HAJ factor (Hardik-Alpesh- Jignesh) rather than on its core strengths and issues which it alone had the credibility to raise. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Exit poll comforts BJP; Congress may have to look for scapegoats

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