Exit Polls 2024: The Republic TV-PMarq Exit Poll Results 2024 have predicted a remarkable victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Double Engine sarkaar (government) in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The Republic Exit Poll shows NDA winning between 353–368 seats, and 364 seats in the Poll of Polls. The seats are enough to form a government at the Centre for the third time.

Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar was in an exclusive conversation with Republic Media Network Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami today after the Exit Poll Results 2024. Excerpts.

On BJP's chances in south India this election

Beginning the conversation by talking about the BJP’s performance in south India, not a party stronghold, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "South is a no-go zone for BJP - this was the narrative that was put out by Congress and INDI Alliance partners. However, the Exit Poll number shows BJP is emerging as the largest national party in south India." 

"States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka are showing significant expansion of BJP vote share and seat share," he added. The Republic Exit Polls showed BJP winning in Tamil Nadu.

"The narrative 'Uttar Me Half, Dakshin Me Saaf' was right, but it only applied to the INDI Alliance. The Congress kept saying BJP always sticks to the north and northwest mainly. (However) Our PM (Modi)’s campaigns impacted all parts of the country, be it north, south or west. The hard work of PM Modi in the last 10 years has impacted millions in our country, and people want him for another term. People unanimously want the development of the country to continue," said Chandrashekhar.

On the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP aka YSR Congress or YCP), Chandrashekhar was of the opinion that the party’s seat share is "likely to be halved". 

"The BJP has aced it with the (Chandrababu) Naidu tie-up,” he said, referring to the party’s alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

On Congress and INDI Alliance’s attack on the democratic process and boycott of election results

"This is expected from the Opposition once (election) results come out. The Congress and INDI Alliance leaders have demonstrated in this election that they don't understand what democracy is about and what the people of India want. They can do all the huff and puff but the country will keep moving forward," said Chandrasekhar.

Making a reference to YouTubers like Dhruv Rathee, Chandrashekhar further added, “All the divisiveness and the YouTube influencers for Congress in Germany didn't have an impact.”

The Exit Poll Results across show a resounding victory for the BJP-led NDA.