Exit poll estimates BJP’s lead in Rajasthan
NEW DELHI: Exit polls on Thursday reinforced perceptions of a tight contest in Rajasthan, with differences in their predictions of the winner in the crucial Hindi heartland state, which has a nearly three-decade tradition of not repeating the incumbent government.
While three exit polls predicted the BJP as a clear winner, two others showed the Congress leading the way to form the next government in the state.
Exit poll forecasts suggest that “others”, including smaller parties and independents, could play a key role in forming the government when the results are declared on December 3. Voting was held for 199 out of 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan on November 25.
The state Congress government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched a series of populist schemes close to the assembly elections to fend off the challenge from the BJP.
According to India Today-Axis My India Poll, Congress is likely to get 86-106 seats in Rajasthan with 42 percent vote support and BJP is likely to get 80-100 seats with 41 percent vote support. Others are likely to get seven percent votes and 9-18 seats.
In the India TV-CNX poll, Congress is projected to get 94-104 seats with 43 percent vote share and BJP is projected to get 80-90 seats with 42 percent vote share. It said that ‘others’ are expected to get 15 percent votes and 14-18 seats.
Times Now-ETG poll expects Congress to get 56-72 seats with 38.98 per cent vote share, BJP to get 108-128 seats with 41.88 per cent vote share and Others to get 13-21 seats with 19.14 per cent vote share.
The Jan Ki Baat poll gave BJP 100–122 seats with 44 per cent vote share, Congress 62–85 seats with 41 per cent vote share and predicted that others would get 15 per cent votes and 14–15 seats.
The P-Mark poll says that in Rajasthan, BJP will win 105-125 seats with 42.2 percent vote share and Congress will win 69-81 seats with 39.7 percent vote share. It said others are likely to get 5-15 seats with 18.1 percent votes.
Counting of four other states which held elections this month will also take place on December 3. The elections, which are being held a few months before the Lok Sabha elections, are important for the BJP and Congress for various reasons.
