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As the polling concluded in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, exit polls revealed intriguing predictions with a decisive edge for the BJP-led alliances in both states, although Jharkhand may witness a close contest.
Jharkhand:
Exit polls have forecast a close result in Jharkhand, with agencies offering different probabilities on the outcome. A majority of them, however, believe that the NDA led by the BJP will enjoy a clear majority in the 81-member assembly.
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The Matrize exit polls predict NDA to win between 42 and 47 seats, whereas the JMM-led INDIA Bloc is predicted to secure 25-30. People's Pulse also predicted a decisive victory for the NDA with BJP winning 42-48 seats, while leaving the JMM-Congress-RJD within 16-23 seats.
However, two agencies — Axis My India and P Marq — predict a robust outing for the ruling JMM alliance. They would garner 49-59 and 37-47 seats, respectively. The Dainik Bhaskar exit poll predicted a hung assembly, with both alliances securing 36-40 seats short of the majority mark.
Maharashtra:
Most exit polls in Maharashtra indicate the ruling Mahayuti alliance, consisting of BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), and NCP (Ajit Pawar), will come back to power. Matrize exit poll predicted Mahayuti will have an absolute majority with 150-170 seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) led by Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (Sharad Pawar) is predicted to win 110-130 seats.
Other polls, like Times Now-JVC, predicted similar results, with Mahayuti potentially securing 150-167 seats, compared to 107-125 seats for the MVA. The People’s Pulse poll gives Mahayuti an overwhelming 182 seats, while MVA is expected to win just 97 seats. While some polls, like Lokshahi Marathi-Rudra, suggest a more balanced outcome with Mahayuti and MVA neck-and-neck, the overall sentiment leans toward Mahayuti’s victory.
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The result of these vital state polls will be sealed on November 23 when votes will be counted for the 288 seats in Maharashtra and the 81 in Jharkhand. Maharashtra is likely to see a relatively clear result in favour of the ruling alliance, with the other contesting alliances still in the running for a possible win in Jharkhand.
(Inputs from IANS)
