Exit Polls 2019 predict NDA to return, BJP may fall short of majority

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling NDA is likely to win a clear majority in parliament after a mammoth general election that ended on Sunday, most exit polls showed.

Modi's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to win 287 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament followed by 128 for the Congress party-led opposition alliance, CVoter exit poll showed.

To rule, a party needs the support of 272 lawmakers.

Votes are to be counted on Thursday.

Read: Exit Polls 2019 say Modi once again 

Exit polls, though, have a mixed record in a country with an electorate of 900 million people.

With the majority of the polls indicating a clear majority for Modi's alliance, Indian equity markets are expected to rally sharply on Monday, while the Indian rupee is also likely to strengthen again the U.S. dollar, according to market insiders.

According to another poll released by Times Now television Modi's alliance is likely to get 306 seats, a clear majority. One poll by Neta Newsx, though, forecast Modi's group falling 30 seats short.

With inputs from Reuters