Exit Polls Predict Comfortable Win For BJP in Gujarat, Clean Sweep in Himachal Pradesh; Key Takeaways

Despite facing Patidar ire and anti-incumbency, the BJP is likely to emerge as the single largest party in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, exit polls suggested.

Written by: India.com News Desk Edited by: Aadil Ikram Zaki Iqbal

Updated: December 15, 2017, 6:21 AM IST

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New Delhi, Dec 15: All exit polls by various media houses predicted a comfortable victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017. Almost all exit polls predicted more than 100 seats for the BJP in Gujarat, with one giving 135 seats to the saffron party. In Himachal Pradesh, the exit polls projected a clear majority for the BJP, unseating the Congress.

Despite facing Patidar ire and anti-incumbency, the BJP is likely to emerge as the single largest party in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, exit polls suggested. The Congress is highly unlikely to wrest power in Gujarat but the grand old party is expected to better its performance since the 2012 assembly election. In yet another setback, exit poll results show the anti-incumbency continues to haunt the Congress party.

In 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections, the BJP had won 115, while the Congress bagged 61 seats. However, the grand old party was left with 43 MLAs after over dozen of its legislators left the party. The Congress had wrested power from the BJP in Himachal Pradesh in 2012 pocketing 36 seats, marginally more than the half-way mark, while the saffron party secured 26. The others had bagged the remaining six.

• Today’s Chanakya gave BJP 135 seats in Gujarat and predicted a measly 47 for the Congress. It predicted 55 seats for the BJP and 13 for the Congress in Himachal Pradesh.
• According to the ABP-CSDS Lokniti exit poll, the BJP is winning a maximum of 117 seats and Congress 64 in Gujarat. The survey showed the BJP may get 38 and the Congress 29 in Himachal Pradesh.
• The India Today-Axis poll predicted 99-113 seats for the BJP and 68-82 seats for the Congress. The survey gave BJP 47-55 seats and the Congress 13-20 in the 68-member Himachal Pradesh assembly.
• The Times Now-VMR exit poll predicted the BJP will win 113 and the Congress 66 in Gujarat. It also predicted tally of 51 seats for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh. The Times Now-VMR poll gave 16 seats to the Congress and one to other.
• The Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat survey put the number for the BJP at 108 and the Congress at 74 in Gujarat. gave the BJP 41 and the Congress 25 in Himachal Pradesh.
• The BJP is likely to win 99-113 seats in Gujarat, while the Congress may win 68-82, said Axis exit polls. It forecast 51 seats for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh and 17 seats for the current ruling party.
• Among other exit polls, India TV-VMR survey predicted a BJP win in Gujarat, with the party likely to clinch anywhere between 108 and 118 seats. The Congress, it said, could win 61 to 71 seats.
• If exit polls are to be believed, PM Modi charisma is working for the BJP despite anger following demonetisation and GST rollout. It also suggests that Rahul Gandhi’s extensive campaign and caste coalition didn’t work in favour of the Congress.

The BJP has been in power in Gujarat for the last 22 years and is eyeing for the record sixth term. In Himachal Pradesh, it lost power to the Congress in 2012. The actual results of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections will be declared on December 18.