Mamata may retain power; TN likely to pick DMK: exit polls

Assam may go to BJP; loss for Chandy

The Trinamool Congress may retain power in West Bengal, the BJP could create history in Assam and the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and Congress in Kerala are on their way out, the exit polls predicted on Monday.

Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress will be the only party that is likely to retain power in the Assembly polls to four states and Puducherry that concluded on Monday, while the BJP is on the cusp of creating history in Assam by ousting Congress, which was in power for the last 15 years.

The results of the polls, which will be out on May 19, could also see the BJP-led NDA opening its account in Kerala where exit polls showed the alliance’s possibility of winning a couple of seats.

The biggest loser will be the Congress, if one goes by the exit polls, with the party going out of power in Assam and Kerala, leaving only six states in its kitty. It’s only solace could be returning to power in Puducherry and a slight improvement in West Bengal where an understanding with the CPM benefited both. While India Today-Axis (233-253) and NewsX-Today’s Chanakya (210 +/-14) give Trinamool a huge edge in Bengal, three other polls have given less than 170 seats for the party.

Times Now-CVoter gave Trinamool 163-171 seats, News Nation has given 151-155 and ABP-Nielsen 163. Trinamool Congress had won 184 seats last time. These polls have shown a slight improvement for Congress-Left, who were fighting on an “understanding”. While Congress and Left had won 104 seats when they fought separately in 2011, these 3 polls give them between 110 and 140.

The result would be music to the ears of the pro-alliance voices in the CPM and party general-secretary Sitaram Yechury.

Turnout in TN, Kerala less than 2011

According to the Election Commission, the turnout in Tamil Nadu and Kerala polls were less than that of 2011, reports PTI. Tamil Nadu recorded 73.76% turnout, while it was 78.12% in 2011. In Kerala, 71.1% of the total electors cast their votes against 75.12% in 2011.

Yechury faced the wrath of a section of his comrades for supporting the Bengal unit of the party on the issue of “understanding” with the Congress.

The exit polls indicate the end of Tarun Gogoi era in Assam politics. The BJP had projected Union Sports Minister Sarbanand Sonowal as its face and the move seems to have paid off.

Today’s Chanakya gave the BJP a maximum of 99 and a minimum of 81 seats in an Assembly of 126 members. India Today-Axis gave the BJP 79 to 93 seats. The Congress’ seat range was between 26 and 51.

Kerala could be another disappointment for the Congress where the CPM-led LDF is likely to form the government with a comfortable majority. The exit polls show LDF winning more than 75 seats.

The exit polls also show the possibility of M Karunanidhi returning to power to become the oldest chief minister in the country. Only C-Voter projects victory for the ruling AIADMK with 139 seats.