The India Today-Axis My India exit poll predicts a significant victory for the NDA in the Andhra Pradesh assembly elections, forecasting 98-120 seats, with the TDP expected to be the largest party. The ruling YSRCP may see a decline, projected to secure 55-77 seats, down from 151 in 2019.
The YSR Congress Party announced candidates for all 175 Assembly seats and 24 Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, dropping a majority of the sitting MPs. YSRCP president and Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced the candidates, emphasizing social justice in ticket distribution and retaining some controversial figures. The party has given significant representation to SC/ST/BC/Minority communities and recognized grassroots leaders, with a majority of candidates being graduates and above. Andhra Pradesh will go to polls on May 13.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited poll data to highlight that the BJP has become the people's most preferred choice for governance in India. He compared the BJP's success rate in retaining power to that of the Congress and regional parties, emphasizing that the BJP has emerged victorious in a higher number of elections. Modi attributed the party's recent electoral success to "team spirit" rather than any individual leader. He also noted the BJP's growing strength in Telangana and Mizoram, despite not winning in those states.
The BJP is yet to finalize the names for the chief minister positions in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, and will appoint observers tomorrow to make the final selection. Several names are being considered for the positions, including Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Prahlad Patel, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Narendra Singh Tomar, Raman Singh, Arun Kumar Sao, Dharamlal Kaushik, and OP Chaudhary. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje is also seen as a contender in Rajasthan. The BJP's massive mandate in the three states is seen as a reflection of popular support for its policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
The BJP will hold a crucial Parliamentary meeting on Thursday to discuss the selection of chief ministers for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. Reports suggest that the party may opt for new leadership in these states. Ahead of the meeting, 10 BJP MPs who won assembly elections in the three states resigned from Parliament. Speculations are rife that some former MPs may be considered for the chief ministerial posts. In Madhya Pradesh, uncertainty remains over whether four-time chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will continue in his role. In Rajasthan, frontrunners for the top post include former chief minister Vasundhara Raje. In Chhattisgarh, several leaders are being considered, including Arun Sao and Gomati Sai. The BJP won a landslide victory in all three states during the recent assembly elections.
The Congress party is leading in the Telangana assembly elections, with early trends showing them ahead on 65 seats, while the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) is leading on 41 seats. If this trend continues, it will be the first time since the state's formation in 2014 that another party takes control. Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is contesting from two seats and is currently leading in one but trailing in the other. The Congress spokesperson expressed confidence in forming the government and denied any plans of poaching leaders from other parties. Anti-incumbency sentiment and welfare measures were factors in the ruling party's decline. Exit polls predict a narrow victory for Congress.
The BJP is leading comfortably in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, while the Congress is ahead in Telangana, its only consolation in this round of state polls. The results in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan align with exit poll predictions, while Chhattisgarh initially seemed to favor the Congress but has now turned in favor of the BJP. The Congress's infighting in Rajasthan may have affected its prospects, while projecting local leaders has worked in the Congress's favor in Telangana. These assembly election results are seen as a semi-final to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Revanth Reddy, a prominent Congress leader in Telangana, has stated that he will only accept the position of Chief Minister and not settle for any other role. While Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has already received assurance from Rahul Gandhi for the CM position, Revanth Reddy's demand could pose a threat to the party's unity. If not appointed as CM, Revanth Reddy may wait until the MP elections are over and potentially form his own faction, leading to the collapse of the government. Insiders suggest that the party's high command might yield to Revanth Reddy's demand to avoid this perceived threat.
Exit polls conducted after the Telangana assembly elections indicate that the Congress party is likely to take power from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Various surveys predict different seat counts, with the Congress projected to win between 56 and 78 seats, while the BRS is expected to secure between 22 and 49 seats. The BJP is predicted to win between 4 and 10 seats, and other parties, including the MIM, are projected to win a few seats as well.
The final opinion poll conducted by C-Voter for ABP News indicates that the Congress is likely to win between 110 and 122 seats in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections, with a projected vote share of 40.2%. The BJP is projected to win between 73 and 85 seats, with a vote share of 36%. The JD(S) is projected to win between 21 and 29 seats, with a vote share of 16.1%. The elections are scheduled for May 10 and the results will be declared on May 13.