Most exit polls say BJP won’t retain power, JMM-Cong-RJD likely winner
The BJP is unlikely to retain power in Jharkhand with various exit polls on Friday placing the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance ahead of the ruling party. Some exit polls have predicted either a hung House or clear majority for the Opposition.
According to exit polls by India Today-Axis My India, the JMM — the Congress-RJD Grand Alliance is likely to win 38-50 seats, where as the BJP could be reduced to winning 22-32 seats. The AJSU could win 3-5 seats and the JVM 2-4 seats. India Today-Axis exit polls predict 34 per cent vote share for the BJP against 37 per cent to the Congress-JMM alliance.
Times Now Exit poll predicts 28 seats for BJP and 41 seats for the Congress + JMM alliance. As per IANS-ABC C-voter exit poll the Grand Alliance is predicted to bag 35 seats in the 81 member House. The ruling BJP is expected to win 32 seats.
The regional party Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajantantrik) JVM(P) led by former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi may win 1 to 4 seats, while BJP’s estranged ally AJSU could get three to seven seats.
Regional television News 11 Bharat has predicted a hung Assembly. As per its forecast, the BJP is going to win 30-35 seats, followed by the JMM 17-22, the Congress 09-12, the RJD-00-02. The channel has predicted that the regional parties (JVM and AJSU) will play the role of kingmakers in next Assembly election as JVM will get 05-06 seats, while Sudesh Mahto’s AJSU party will get 8-12 seats.
Reacting to the exit polls prediction, State BJP general secretary, Deepak Prakash said, “The BJP has much more trust and confidence in people mandate than exit polls. We are hopeful that the BJP will form the Government.”
However, State Congress spokesperson Lal Kishore Nath Shahdeo said, “The various agencies which have done exit polls might have their own claims. But it is clear that the BJP is losing election and Mahagathbandhan is going to form Government.”
Shahdeo said, “The party (BJP) which set a mission of 65 plus is not even going to win half of the seats of its target.”
Polling in Jharkhand was held in five phases, starting on November 30 and ending today. Votes will be counted on Monday, December 23.