On Thursday, a majority of exit polls suggested a potential advantage for the Congress in Chhattisgarh and Telangana, while indicating that the BJP might hold the upper hand in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Mizoram, almost all polls foresaw a scenario where the ruling Mizo National Front could fall short of the halfway mark, alongside its primary rival, the Zoram People’s Movement.
Following an intense campaign period by all political parties throughout the past month, commencing on November 7, voting occurred in all five states. The Congress is vying to retain power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, while in Madhya Pradesh, the party aims to reclaim control. Despite winning the 2018 elections, the Congress faced a setback in 2020 due to a rebellion led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, which brought the BJP back into power. Telangana is witnessing a three-way competition, with the Congress and BJP aiming to disrupt BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao’s potential hat-trick. In Mizoram, the traditional MNF-Congress rivalry is now challenged by a new entrant — Zoram’s People Movement (ZPM).
These state elections carry significant weight for both the BJP and the Congress, as they seek victories to build momentum leading up to the general elections. Together, these five states contribute 83 members to the Lok Sabha. The BJP places reliance on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity, the efficacy of Centre’s welfare schemes, and the party’s organizational strength in these regions.
Stay tuned for live updates on exit poll results for all five states as the month-long polling period concludes in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Telangana.