If the results on Sunday mirror what the polls are projecting — a big if going by past experience — this round of polls, billed as a semifinal by many, would leave both sides with enough to claim they have the momentum in the run-up to Lok Sabha polls in 2024.
Of the six polls analysed here (Times Now-ETG, India Today-My Axis India, Dainik Bhaskar, Republic Matrize, ABP-C Voter, News24-Today’s Chanakya), two gave BJP a decisive mandate in Madhya Pradesh, one suggested that BJP would win a simple majority, another that Congress would win a simple majority and two others put Congress slightly ahead in a close race that could throw up the possibility of a hung assembly.
On Rajasthan, two of the polls gave BJP a clear majority, one gave Congress a majority and the rest projected a much closer race. Even among these, two put BJP ahead and one, Congress.
Mizoram staring at first hung House: Exit polls
On Telangana, all polls agreed that Congress was in pole position, though in some cases the lower end of the range of seats projected could leave the party tantalisingly short of a majority. If the polls prove right, BRS would be out of office in the state for the first time since its creation a decade ago.
Similarly, in Chhattisgarh, all polls put Congress ahead, albeit in a tighter race than may have been anticipated just months ago. Only one poll, by Today’s Chanakya for News24, gave a clear mandate to Congress in the 90-member assembly.
In Mizoram, the polls disagreed on whether the Mizo National Front (MNF) or Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) was ahead in the race to form the government, but all agreed that Congress was third in the race. Only one of the polls, India Today-My Axis India, gave a clear mandate, to ZPM in the 40-member House. Should the results bring a hung House, it would be a first for the state.
