Exit Polls 2019: BJP set to gain massively in Odisha, may even surpass BJD
Exit Polls predict vertical split in Odisha
Most exit polls Sunday forecast another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with some of them projecting that BJP-led NDA will get more than 300 seats to comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 in the Lok Sabha.
Exit polls were, however, divided in their prediction for the politically most crucial state of Uttar Pradesh with some like ABP-Nielsen saying that the BJP's tally may fall to 22 from 71 while a few others like New 18-Ipsos and News 24-Chanakya tipping its tally over 60 seats. The saffron party appeared to make major gains in eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha.
However, most exit polls believe that BJP is gaining big in Odisha. With the inclusion of likes of Baijayant Panda and other top BJD leaders in the saffron fold, the party was expected to do well. Now the exit polls are predicting that BJP is close to winning half of the seats in the Eastern state. It should be remembered that the party was always the third force in Odisha after BJD and Congress. If indeed BJD has a major breakthrough in Odisha, it will be a testament to the hard work done by Amit Shah and his team in building the base in the state and the anti-incumbency factor which is now engulfing Naveen Patnaik after nearly two decades in the top job.
Zee Maha Exit Poll:
According to VMR and Jan Ki Baat, BJP is slated to get 12 out of 21 seats in Odisha. CNX is giving them six seats only, but even then it would be a marked improvement from what they got in 2014. The Panchayat elections in Odisha showed that BJP is not a force to be taken lightly and if the exit polls are right, the party is all set to make major headway in the poor state.
Odisha had simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha poll. TO counter BJP's steady rise in Western Odisha, Naveen Patnaik contested from two places. When the results come on 23rd, it will be seen if his gambit works or not.
As of now, based on the Lok Sabha election results, it seem like Naveen Patnaik may just hang on to his post extremely by the skin of his teeth, assuming similar voting pattern.
It will show that anti-incumbency may have pealed away some of Naveen Patnaik's popularity but he will stand tall to fight another day.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been the tallest BJP leader of the state by a mile. He is likely to be CM if BJP comes to power. But the big question will be if party has managed to mend its weakness in Coastal Odisha. The challenge for Dharmendra Pradhan was to guide the likes of Jay Panda who is new to BJP to ensure that the party becomes a force to reckon with in the coast.
On 23rd May, we will know how much has been successful.