Police personnel stand guard at a counting centre in Mumbai. (Photo: Press Trust of India)
Exit polls have predicted a Super Sunday for the BJP. Counting of votes begins at 8 am for elections held in Maharashtra and Haryana this week and the exit polls forecast that the BJP will be the single largest party in both states, ruled by the Congress for years.
Here are the latest updates
Many have also said the party could fall short of the halfway mark in the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly, and Mumbai buzzed today with hectic politicking amid speculation of post-poll alliances.
The exit polls predict a clear majority for the BJP in the 90-member Haryana Assembly.
In the elections held on October 15, Haryana recorded its highest ever turnout at 73%, Maharashtra at 62%. The figures are among the highest in 15 years, the Election Commission has said. Conventionally, big turnouts are seen as a sign that people want change.
In both states, the BJP had fought solo banking only on what it calls the "Modi wave". Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned extensively in both states, addressing multiple rallies daily.
NDTV's poll of polls predicted that in Maharashtra - which saw a five-cornered contest - the party is set to win 132 of the 288 seats, 14 short of majority. In that case, the BJP's options would include mending fences with former ally Shiv Sena, or a new alliance with the NCP.
The Shiv Sena, which had repeatedly questioned the "Modi wave", today claimed it would get full majority. Asked whether it would seek BJP's support in case it falls short, Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut said the BJP should extend support "for the sake of Maharashtra".
The Congress, which had been ruling both states, said it will respect the voters' verdict. But the party's Central leaders have sought to shield the Gandhis from criticism. "These are state elections and not a reflection on the national leadership," spokesperson PC Chacko had said.
The BJP has not projected anyone as chief minister. Its Maharashtra unit chief Devendra Fadnavis and senior leader Eknath Khadse are frontrunners for the chief minister's post in Maharashtra.
Should the BJP win in Haryana, the choice is expected to be between former Armyman and Jat leader Captain Abhimanyu, and Union minister Rao Inderjeet Singh.
The BJP had won big in the general elections in both states. In Maharashtra, the BJP- Sena combine had picked up 42 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats. Of these, the BJP had the bigger share - 23. In Haryana, the BJP had won seven of the 10 Lok Sabha seats.
Post a comment