Exit polls predict clean sweep for Congress in Haryana, close contest in J&K

New Delhi: At least two exit polls predicted clean sweep for Congress in Haryana assembly election while Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance was seen ahead in Jammu and Kashmir (J&) in a close contest.

The counting of votes is scheduled on October 8. While the single-phase election as held in Haryana on Saturday, J&K had its third and final phase of voting on October 1.

As per Republic-Matrize exit poll, Congress may bag 55-62 seats in Haryana while BJP could secure 18-24 seats. It has projected 0-1 seats for Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and 2-3 seats for Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Others could win 3-5 seats.

Dainik Bhaskar has estimated 44-54 seats for Congress in the 90-seat Haryana assembly. BJP is seen getting 19-29 seats. It expects JJP to win 0-1 seats while INLD is seen getting 1-5 seats. Others may get 4-9 seats. Aam Aadmi party (AAP) could win 0-1 seats.

Speaking after the exit Polls, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said "Haryana has seen the work we have done in the last ten years. We have rid Haryana of regionalism and dynastic politics. We are confident that the BJP will form the government in Haryana for the third time".

Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat said "This is a very happy day for the people of Haryana. They suffered a lot in the last ten years and it's the result of that. People have taken revenge for the oppression of ten years".

People's Pulse has predicted 55 seats for Congress in Haryana while BJP may get 26 seats.

C Voter has predicted 40-48 seats for Congress-NC in Jammu and Kashmir while BJP is seen getting 27-32 seats. People's Democratic Party (PDP) headed by Mehbooba Mufti may bag 6-12 seats while Others could get 6-11 seats in the Union Territory (UT).

Dainik Bhaskar expects BJP to win 20-25 seats in J&K while projection for Congress-NC alliance ranges between 35 and 40. PDP is seen getting 4-7 seats while others may win 12-14 seats out of 90 seats in the J&K assembly.

People's Plus has predicted 23-27 seats for BJP, 46-50 seats for Congress and NC alliance. PDP could potentially win 7-11 seats while others could bag 4-6 seats in Jammu and Kashmir

It may be noted that exit polls have in the past proved wrong on many occasions.

There are 90 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, so the halfway mark is 46.

The exit poll also indicates a kingmaker role for independent candidates who may end up with 19-23 seats.

J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina said the BJP will emerge as the single largest party in the Union Territory.

“BJP contested the elections with all its strength, and we are confident that it will emerge as the single largest party in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

BJP's Kavinder Gupta dismissesd the exit poll numbers and said, "It is only in the exit polls that Congress-National Conference has got these seats, but BJP will emerge as the biggest party once the correct results are out".

"We are confident of getting more than 35 seats in Jammu province and the remaining from Kashmir. BJP will be in a better condition in Kashmir," said Former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta" he added.

The counting of votes for the 90 assembly segments across Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to take place on October 8.

The state went to polls in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1.

Most pollsters went horribly wrong in predicting the results of last Lok Sabha election. Earlier, they had failed to get the pulse of voters in the last Karnataka state assembly election.