Gujarat- HP: Exit polls predict clear majority for Saffron BJP
NEW DELHI / AHMEDABAD : Exit polls on Thursday predicted a victory for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat, giving it a clear majority in the keenly-contested assembly polls in the state.
All seven major exit polls show the BJP heading towards a big win in the Gujarat Assembly elections 2017. Today’s Chanakya, which had got the 2014 projection right, says the party will win two-third majority in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state.
In further bad news for the Congress, all seven exit polls predict that the Congress will lose Himachal Pradesh. Most exit polls predict more than 100 seats for the BJP in Gujarat, comfortably above the 92-seat majority mark in the 182-seat Assembly. In Himachal Pradesh, the BJP is projected to win more than 50 seats, way above the majority mark of 35 in the 68-seat Assembly. The Grand Old Party, however, says the exit polls will be proven wrong on December 18, the day of counting.
Gujarat voted on Thursday in the the second and final phase of Assembly elections. Polling was held in the northern and central regions, which includes two of its main cities — Ahmedabad and Vadodara. A total of 851 candidates were in the fray in 93 constituencies spread across 14 districts.
Prominent candidates in the polls include Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting from Mehsana against Jivabhai Patel of the Congress. Alpesh Thakor, who is contesting from Radhanpur; and Congress backed independent candidate Jignesh Mevani from Vadgam.
Exit polls predict a victory for the ruling BJP, giving it a clear majority. An exit poll gave the BJP 115 of the total 182 seats and the Congress 65. Another exit poll gave the ruling dispensation 108 seats and 74 to the Congress.
The Times Now-VMR exit poll has predicted 115 seats for the BJP, 64 for the Congress, and the rest for other parties. The Republic-C Voter exit poll has given the BJP 108 seats and the Congress 74. A poll on NDTV said the BJP would get 112 seats and the Congress 70. The ABP-CSDS survey by ABP News predicted a BJP victory in 117 seats, against the Congress’ 64.
A survey by India Today’s Aaj Tak news channel also predicted that the BJP, which has been ruling Gujarat for almost 20 years, would retain power. It said the BJP would emerge as the winner in 99-113 Assembly segments in the State, while the Congress could win 68-82 seats. In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats, the Congress 61 and others six.
On the Congress complaint last night, alleging violations by Mr. Modi and other BJP leaders, the EC says it sought a report from the State Chief Electoral Officer, who submitted it around noon today and is being examined. The Congress sought time today and was asked to meet at 1 p.m., but a party delegation failed to turn up, the EC informs.
On allegations of Mr. Modi’s “road show”, the EC says it has received a complaint in the afternoon and is examining it. EC puts turnout at 68.7% (provisional) in second phase to 93 Assembly seats in 14 districts of Gujarat, down from the previous polls. In the 2012 elections, the overall turnout in the State was 72%
Three complaints alleging bluetooth-linked EVMs received, two by Congress in Ahmedabad, one by another candidate in Vadodara and 121 cases of paid news were reported. A team visited on a formal complaint in Ahmedabad alleging bluetooth-linked EVMs and demonstrated that there was no such thing.
Psephologist-turned-politician Yogendra Yadav weighs in on the exit polls. “Am surprised, but no reason to disbelieve all exit polls, since they all point in the same direction. We can’t still be sure of seats, but it seems clear that BJP enjoys an edge in Gujarat.
Meanwhile ,Today’s Chanakya says BJP will win 55 seats in the 68-seat Himachal Pradesh Assembly, while the Congress is likely to win only 13 seats — a big drop from its winning performance in 2012. The halfway mark is 35 seats.
Today’s Chanakya shows 51% of voters in Himachal Pradesh voted for the BJP. The Congress got only 38% votes, while others won 11% votes, the exit poll said.Times Now-VMR exit poll shows the BJP will win 51 seats, while Congress will be reduced to only 17 in 68-member Assembly. The halfway mark in the 68-seat Himachal Pradesh Assembly is 35 seats.(With Agency Inputs ).
