More than 650 counting observers have been deployed in 5 states to oversee the process. (Representative)
new Delhi:
Election results of five states including Uttar Pradesh will be declared today. Exit polls have predicted massive destruction for BJP in UP, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) victory in Punjab and a tough fight in 3 other states. Counting starts from 8 am.
Following are the top 10 scores:
-
The BJP is hoping to retain power in the four states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. The ruling Congress in Punjab is facing a big test.
-
Uttar Pradesh has the highest share; With 80 parliamentary seats, India’s most politically important state holds the key to power at the Centre. If the BJP secures a majority in the 403-member assembly, it will be the first party to get a second consecutive term in more than three decades.
-
The Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party, the BJP’s main challenger in Uttar Pradesh, has forged a rainbow alliance with smaller parties, hoping to supplement its Muslim-Yadav support base with OBC (Other Backward Classes) voters. which will be important. in the eastern and western part of the state.
-
In Punjab, exit polls have predicted a major victory for Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP – which is making inroads in the state – leaving the Congress out of the number 2 position in the 117-member assembly.
-
The Congress in Punjab has been a divided house for more than a year now. Its internal rivalries, including a fight between former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Sidhu, had been in the news.
-
Amarinder Singh’s new party Punjab Lok Congress has joined hands with BJP. The Akali Dal, which broke away from its long-time partner BJP after nationwide protests over agricultural laws, is another player in the multi-cornered contest.
-
A tough fight is expected in Goa, where the BJP was successful in forming the government five years ago despite getting fewer seats than the Congress. Both parties are racing to line up potential allies. The BJP is exuding confidence that it will get the support of former ally Maharashtrawadi Gomatak Party (MGP), which is currently in alliance with the Trinamool Congress.
-
Manipur was the second state where the Congress, despite being the single largest party, found itself out of power in 2017 winning 28 out of 60 seats. Despite winning 21 seats, the BJP formed the government with the support of the National People’s Party and the Naga People’s Front. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party is also contesting 38 seats this time.
-
The Congress’ response this time has been early preparations – sending its top leaders to both Goa and Manipur and closely monitoring its candidate swarm. Senior leaders have also been sent to Uttarakhand, where a tough fight is expected.
-
Several exit polls have predicted a hung assembly in Uttarakhand. This increases the possibility of a bigger role of independent and marginal players like AAP, SP, BSP and UKD in government formation. The BJP and the Congress are in direct contest on 40 to 45 seats out of 60, while regional outfits are making the fight triangular on 25-30 seats.