People Voted Against Corruption, Says Buoyant BJP As Exit Poll Results Give Party Edge In Jharkhand

Last Updated:November 20, 2024, 21:02 IST

Jharkhand Election Exit Polls Result: The results for the two-phase Jharkhand election will be announced on November 23 but all exit polls --- except AXIS-My India --- on Wednesday brought cheer for the BJP

The exit polls predicted a clean sweep for the NDA in the state in a blow for the Hemant Soren-led coalition. (PTI)

The ruling JMM as well as the opposition BJP exuded confidence about forming the next government in Jharkhand, even as the exit polls predicted a clean sweep for the NDA in the state in a blow for the Hemant Soren-led coalition.

The results for the two-phase Jharkhand election will be announced on November 23 but all exit polls — except AXIS-My India — on Wednesday brought cheer for the BJP. According to the Matrize exit poll, the NDA is likely to get between 42-47 seats while the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition is expected to win around 25-30 with others clinching between one to four seats. As per the Times Now exit poll, BJP is expected to win 40-44 seats in the state, while the JMM coalition is likely to win 30-40 seats. The People’s Pulse exit poll too gave the edge to the NDA, predicting 44-53 seats for the NDA with the JMM coalition behind at 25- 37. The others are expected to clinch five to nine seats. However, AXIS-My India seems to be the outlier, as it predicted that JMM-Congress is likely to sweep the state with 53 out of 81 seats, including 15 out of the 18 seats in Santhal Pargana.

As polling drew to a close on Wednesday evening, chief minister Hemant Soren claimed the people of the state have showered blessings on the ruling JMM-led alliance.

“The elderly, youth, workers, women, farmers — all gave their unprecedented blessings with enthusiasm and zeal in this great festival of democracy. All, especially the half population of the state — our Maiyas (women) — enthusiastically gave their infinite blessings to the JMM and INDIA alliance in a historic manner for their rights, dignity and respect," he posted on X.

Senior Congress leader Rajesh Thakur said: “The way women have participated in polling and the discussion that was going on among people about the government’s work at the polling booths, I can say that our alliance is going perform better than last time and we will provide a strong government to the state."

As the exit poll results trickled in, a buoyant NDA claimed it was always sure of a victory.

Ex-Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda said: “This time, BJP will form the government with absolute majority. The people of Jharkhand are with BJP and have shown faith in us."

Attacking the Soren government, Munda said: “In the last five years, Jharkhand has gone backwards and people are not happy with the JMM-Congress government. Apart from the infiltration issue, people were not happy with the government’s policies." He added that the BJP had taken a significant lead in the first phase of voting and the results on November 23 would prove the exit polls right.

Jharkhand’s BJP president Babulal Marandi also told CNN-News that according to the party’s survey, BJP and NDA would form the government by winning 51 seats. “Corruption is rampant in the state and everyone is against the JMM-Congress government. One factor for this is the demography issue. Corruption is also at its peak and there is no law and order."

The sentiment was echoed by Union minister and BJP’s Jharkhand election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chouhan who expressed confidence of victory with a huge mandate. “Who can be a bigger surveyor in Jharkhand than us? We have been in Jharkhand for the last three months. We have seen how people wished for change. I am sure that the people have voted for BJP-NDA. We are going to form the government with a huge mandate."

The leaders in the fray were also jubilant due to the exit poll results. Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand assembly and BJP candidate from Chandankiyari seat, Amar Kumar Bauri, said: “People were in a mood for change for the last two years. The BJP-NDA government will be formed here. The departure of this corrupt government is certain. We have said earlier also that if a BJP government is formed, then whoever gets the opportunity under the guidance of the BJP legislative party and the central leadership will take Jharkhand forward. We have many experienced leaders who have played the responsibility of chief minister."

Ranchi, India

News elections People Voted Against Corruption, Says Buoyant BJP As Exit Poll Results Give Party Edge In Jharkhand