BJP Set for Landslide Victory in Lok Sabha Elections, Predicts Exit Polls
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/2nd June 2024
In a significant political development, multiple exit polls conducted on Saturday indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on course for a third term, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) projected to secure a commanding majority in the Lok Sabha. The ruling party’s campaign slogan, “Ab Ki Baar 400 Paar” (This Time, Over 400), appears poised to become a reality.
Exit Poll Predictions
According to the News18 Mega Exit Poll, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to win between 305 and 315 seats in the Lok Sabha, with the NDA securing an overall tally of 355 to 370 seats. This marks a significant increase from the previous 2019 elections where the BJP won 303 seats and the NDA a total of 353 seats.
The Congress party, on the other hand, is projected to win only 62-72 seats, with its coalition, the INDIA bloc, likely to secure 125-140 seats. Other parties outside these two main alliances are estimated to capture 42-52 seats.
Republic TV-P Marq’s poll results suggest a similar trend, predicting up to 359 seats for the NDA and 154 seats for the INDIA bloc in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The Republic TV-Matrize poll forecasts 353-368 seats for the NDA and 118-133 for the opposition. Jan Ki Baat’s poll gives the ruling alliance an even higher range of 362-392 seats, with the opposition alliance securing between 141-161 seats.
India TV-CNX predicts 371-401 seats for the NDA and 109-139 for the opposition, while News Nation’s estimates range from 342-378 for the NDA and 153-169 for the opposition. The India Today-Axis My India exit poll projects up to 401 seats for the NDA. Polls from Chanakya and CNX also suggest the NDA is likely to surpass the 400-seat mark.
Historical Context and Political Implications
Historically, such a feat has been rare in Indian elections. The only instance of a party securing over 400 seats was in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, when the Congress won 414 seats. Even during its peak years post-independence, Congress’s seat count did not reach such heights.
Regional Dynamics
These exit polls suggest that the NDA might make inroads in states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, traditionally strongholds of regional parties, while maintaining its stronghold in Karnataka. However, the alliance could see a decrease in its tally in states like Bihar, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
Reactions from Political Leaders
Following the final phase of voting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the electorate had voted overwhelmingly for the NDA, rejecting the “opportunistic INDI Alliance” and its “regressive politics.” BJP President J P Nadda echoed this sentiment, asserting that the electorate had voted for a “capable, powerful, developed, and self-reliant India,” and expressing confidence that the BJP would win more than 370 seats, with the NDA surpassing 400.
Conversely, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, after a meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc, maintained that their alliance would win more than 295 seats. He criticized the exit polls, suggesting that government and media figures were inflated to favor the ruling party.
As India awaits the official results on June 4, these exit polls suggest a historic mandate for the BJP-led NDA, reinforcing Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and his party’s dominance in Indian politics. The outcome of this election will undoubtedly shape the future political landscape of the country.
