As assembly elections in all five states -- Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh -- came to an end today, most exit polls predicted an edge for the Congress in Chhattisgarh and Telangana while forecasting that it was advantage BJP in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Mizoram, exit polls indicated that Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) was locked in a close race with the Mizo National Front (MNF) with the Congress and the BJP lagging behind.
Assembly elections to all five states was held between November 7 and November 30. The BJP is in power in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress is ruling Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. In Telangana, the K Chandrashekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has been in power since 10 years and in Mizoram, the MNF is ruling.
Health warning: Exit polls often get it wrong.
As per most exit polls, Congress is gaining signifcant ground in comparison to BRS in Telangana, which has been in power since the formation of the state. The grand old party is also leading in Chhattisgarh. Ashok Gehlot's government in Rajasthan is likely to lose power in the state, giving way to the BJP. A tight race is expected in Madhya Pradesh but BJP has the advantage. Two exit polls have predicted a hung assembly in Mizoram.
The results for assembly elections in all five states will be announced on December 3. The results are expected to set the way forward for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be eyeing a third term amid strong opposition from the newly formed INDIA alliance.
