Exit Polls Predict PM Modi’s Hat-Trick: BJP Set for Landslide Victory

New Delhi: In a resounding endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Saturday’s exit polls unanimously predicted a third consecutive term for his BJP-led NDA coalition. The forecasts suggest the NDA will comfortably surpass the 272-seat majority threshold. Seven exit polls project an average of 361 seats for the NDA, slightly below BJP’s target of 400, and 145 seats for the opposition INDIA bloc. The BJP is estimated to secure around 311 seats, with the Congress gaining 63.

If these predictions hold true on June 4, when the election results are declared, PM Modi will achieve a historic third consecutive term, joining Jawaharlal Nehru in this distinction. In the 2019 elections, the BJP won 303 seats, and the Congress 52. With the current projections, the Congress might slightly improve its performance, potentially securing the position of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, which requires at least 54 seats.

India TV-CNX is among the agencies predicting up to 400 seats for the NDA, with a range of 371-401 seats for the ruling coalition and 109-139 for the INDIA bloc. Jan ki Baat estimates 362-392 seats for the NDA and 141-161 for the opposition. Dainik Bhaskar predicts 281-350 seats for the NDA and 145-201 for the INDIA bloc.

The exit polls indicate significant BJP gains in the South, with breakthroughs in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and strong performances in Karnataka and Telangana. In West Bengal, the BJP is projected to win 22 seats, up from 18 in 2019, surpassing the ruling Trinamool Congress which is estimated to secure 19-22 seats. In Odisha, the BJP could increase its tally to 15 seats from the current eight.

The BJP is expected to dominate in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, and Jharkhand, though it may lose some seats in Rajasthan and Haryana.

For the Congress, exit polls predict a repetition of its 2019 performance in Kerala and Punjab. The Congress-led UDF is expected to sweep Kerala, and in Punjab, the Congress is projected to retain its eight seats out of 13. The BJP might win up to four seats in Punjab.

Most polls anticipate a clean sweep for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, mirroring its 2019 performance where it won all four seats.