Exit polls on Wednesday projected a thumping victory for the BJP in Assam and indicated a clear edge for the party over the ruling TMC in West Bengal, while forecasting a return of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and a comeback by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala after 10 years. Pollsters also predicted the return of the AINRC-led NDA government in Puducherry.
In Assam (126 seats; majority 64), Axis My India projected 88–100 seats for the BJP-led NDA and 24–36 for the Congress and its allies. People’s Pulse estimated 68–72 seats for the NDA and 22–26 for Congress+, while Matrize forecast 85–95 seats for the NDA and 25–32 for the Congress bloc.
In Kerala (140 seats; majority 71), Axis My India gave the UDF 78–90 seats, LDF 49–62 and NDA 0–3. People’s Pulse projected 75–85 seats for the UDF and 55–65 for the LDF, while Matrize estimated 70–75 for the UDF, 60–65 for the LDF and 3–5 for the NDA.
In West Bengal (294 seats; majority 148), projections varied sharply. People’s Pulse predicted 177–187 seats for the TMC and 95–110 for the BJP, with minimal presence for the Left Front and Congress. However, Matrize indicated a BJP edge with 146–161 seats against TMC’s 125–140, while P-Marq projected 150–175 for the BJP and 118–138 for the TMC.
In Tamil Nadu (234 seats; majority 118), People’s Pulse forecast 125–145 seats for the DMK-led alliance, 65–80 for the AIADMK-BJP alliance and 18–24 for TVK. Matrize estimated 122–132 for the DMK-Congress, 87–100 for the NDA and 10–12 for TVK.
In Puducherry (30 seats), Axis My India predicted 16–20 seats for the NDA, 6–8 for the DMK-Congress and 2–4 for TVK.
Polling was held in a single phase in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while West Bengal saw two-phase polling on April 23 and 29. High voter turnout was recorded, with Assam at 85.38 per cent, Puducherry 89.83 per cent, Tamil Nadu 84.69 per cent, and West Bengal registering 91.78 per cent in the first phase.
While the BJP is seeking to retain power in Assam and Puducherry, the Congress aims to regain both states. In Kerala, the UDF is looking to unseat the ruling LDF, while in Tamil Nadu the DMK-led alliance is aiming to retain power against the AIADMK-BJP combine and newcomer TVK. In West Bengal, the TMC is striving to hold off the BJP challenge.
Counting of votes will take place on May 4. Exit polls, however, have often proved inaccurate, and final results may differ.
