The biggest political fest of the largest democracy has come to an end after the final phase of polling took place on 19th May 2019. Around 90 crore adult population was eligible to vote in the elections this year; a rise of 10 percent from the last Lok Sabha elections in 2014.
For the gigantic polling event, around a million polling booths were installed. The elections saw an impressive 66.39 percent turn out overall.
After two months of wooing the Indian public with pictures of a promising future through elections campaigning and seven phases of hectic poll schedule, exit polls are out. Most exit polls indicate towards a clear majority for Modi- led NDA.
Majority for BJP-NDA Alliance
Out of the 542 Lok Sabha seats, BJP-led NDA is expected to win above 300 seats. The polls also indicate towards a landslide victory by the incumbent government in several key states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Most of the reputed exit polls predict a second term for Narendra Modi led BJP-NDA at the central. According to the Times Now-VMR exit polls, NDA is likely to win 306 seats at the Lok Sabha while the UPA may bag 132 seats and others will get a share of 104 seats at the lower house. India Today-My Axis and Chanakya exit polls have predicted a clean sweep for the BJP-led alliance with over 350 seats.
At the bottom, ABP News-Nielsen and Neta-News X have indicated that the ruling NDA may miss the majority at 267 and 242 seats, respectively.
Landslide Victory in the Key States
West Bengal and Odisha
The BJP’s high pitched campaigning in West Bengal is expected to give desired results. Exit polls predict 15 seats.BJP could only bag 2 seats in the 2014 elections. Similarly, exit polls predict an impressive 12 seats in Odisha.
In a clean sweep, BJP+ seems to get 6 out of the 7 Lok Sabha seats in New Delhi.
Not surprisingly, In Maharashtra BJP-Shivsena will have a comfortable win.
Close Competition in Uttar Pradesh
Despite wide disagreement amongst different exit polls, most of the polls are disappointing BJP-NDA, giving a thumbs up to the Mahagathbandhan. Based on the average of exit polls, BJP could manage to get only 43 seats in the strategically crucial Uttar Pradesh. Mayawati-Akhilesh led alliance may bag 35 seats.