Gains in South, Bengal & Odisha: Exit Polls Predict Stronger Mandate For Modi 3.0 | Big Takeaways

New Delhi: As a marathon Lok Sabha Elections 2024 came to an end on June 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership shines through as the cornerstone of the BJP-led NDA's imminent triumph. While the '400 paar' target may not be within reach, the consistent leadership of PM Modi has steered the coalition towards an emphatic victory, with most exit polls predicting a formidable tally of 350+ seats. Republic-PMARQ and Matrize have predicted a landslide victory for the ruling BJP-led NDA, with projections indicating a sweeping win of 353-369 seats. 

For the unversed, the BJP has set a target of securing 370 seats, aiming to surpass the historic milestone of 400 with support from its allies.  In the 2019 polls, the BJP secured a big win with 303 seats, consolidating further to 352 with the support of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Congress, on the other hand, had managed 52 seats, and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) tallied 91. 

Republic-P Marq, Matrize Exit Poll: Big Takeaways

1. BJP Breaches 50% Vote Share: With the BJP breaching the 50% vote share mark, there's a clear pro-incumbency wave sweeping across the nation.
2. BJP a Showstopper Odisha, Bengal and Northeast : In states like Odisha, Bengal, and the Northeast, the BJP emerges as the showstopper, achieving an all-time high in Odisha with 14 seats, marking a significant jump of 4 seats.
3. Congress Get 72% Muslim Vote Share: The Congress secures a substantial 72% Muslim vote share, highlighting a key demographic support base.
4. BJP Retains OBC Vote: By retaining the OBC vote, the BJP reinforces its stronghold among diverse communities.
5. Jump of 6 Seats in Maharashtra: The BJP-led coalition is set to secure 29 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra, witnessing a notable increase of 6 seats.
6. BJP's Huge Opening in TN: Making significant inroads, the BJP is making a remarkable opening in Tamil Nadu, solidifying its position as the strongest party in South India.
7. Congress Confined to Kerala: The Congress is largely confined to Kerala, indicating a regional stronghold amidst broader challenges.
8. TDP's Strong Comeback: The TDP is anticipated to make a robust comeback, while Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP faces challenges.
9. BJP's Clean Sweep in Delhi: In a clean sweep, the BJP is predicted to secure all 7 seats in the national capital Delhi, as forecasted by P-MARQ.
10. Pro-incumbency Wave: As the BJP surpasses the 50% vote share threshold, a distinct tide of pro-incumbency sentiment reverberates throughout the country.
     

How Leaders Reacted?

Welcoming Exit Poll prediciton, BJP candidate from Bengaluru South, Tejasvi Surya said, "Most of the exit polls are indicating a massive overwhelming majority for the BJP-led NDA. Despite being in power for 10 years, PM Narendra Modi's popularity is unfaded and only increasing... For a political party to be in power for 10 consecutive years and for a Prime Minister to get elected with a much bigger mandate is a huge indication of the kind of faith and kind of trust he has earned from a billion Indians..."

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that PM Modi's guarantee has become a hit and their (INDI) figures will be a flop. "Congress and AAP, they are in alliance at one place and against each other in another place... This alliance is a make-believe alliance... Today they gave a delusional figure of 295... On June 4, actual results will be out and Rahul Ji will go to Europe. PM Modi's guarantee has become a hit and their figures will be a flop. The family party will say that Kharge Ji is the president and he has created all the mess and he will be changed. I don't know what is wrong with Revanth Reddy. If he thinks that Rahul Gandhi would be the PM, then he is in a cuckoo land...", Puri mocked Congress. 

Goa CM Pramod Sawant claimed that Congress has conceded defeat. "Different channels and agencies are showing different data on today's exit polls, but one thing is for sure the BJP-led NDA is winning nearly 360 seats according to the exit polls... Certainly, Congress' decision to participate in exit poll debates shows that they have accepted their defeat...", said Sawant. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan claimed that the results from Odisha will be shocking. " When the vote counting starts it(number) will reach 400. In Odisha, as per our expectation, numbers will go above 15, it will be between 15-20. The results from Odisha will be shocking..."

Opposition, on the other hand, dismissed Exit Poll results with former Telangana Minister and BRS working president KTR saying, “We will wait for the exact poll...”