Karnataka Elections Mega Exit Poll Results: Hung Assembly, BJP to Win 102 Seats, Predicts Poll of Polls
In what could boost the BJP's claim of wresting Karnataka is the validation received from Today's Chanakya -- the research agency which predicted the most accurate outcome in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Bengaluru, May 12: The mega-exit poll, based upon the median of five major exit polls released after the conclusion of elections today, predicts a hung assembly with the prime challenger - the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - holding the edge.
As per the poll of polls analysis, the BJP is likely to win 102 seats, while the incumbent Congress could be restricted to 92. The JD(S), meanwhile, could be reduced to 27 -- down from its earlier tally of 40 seats.
Among the five exit polls analysed, two predicted a full majority victory for the BJP, whereas, only one claimed that the Congress would cross the halfway majority mark.
In what could boost the BJP's claim of wresting Karnataka is the validation received from Today's Chanakya -- the research agency which predicted the most accurate outcome in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
For the Congress, the India Today-Axis survey predicted a narrow majority.
Here's a look at all exit poll results, along with their median:
| Exit Polls | BJP | Congress | JD(S) |
| Today’s Chanakya | 120 | 73 | 26 |
| Republic-Jan Ki Baat | 95-114 | 78-92 | 26-35 |
| Times Now-VMR | 94 | 97 | 28 |
| ABP News-C Voter | 97-109 | 87-99 | 21-30 |
| India Today-Axis | 79-92 | 106-118 | 22-30 |
| POLL OF POLLS | 102 | 92 | 27 |
Reacting to the exit poll results, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "The surveys have failed to gauge the popularity of Congress among the people. On May 15, we would emerge victorious with a clean majority."
The BJP, meanwhile, said the exit polls have already proved the BJP wave in Karnataka. "From 40 seats in 2013, we are now locked in a head-to-head challenge. But I can assure you, whenever there is a tough contest, it is onl the BJP which comes out as the winner," said party spokesperson Sambit Patra.
The Election Commission of India is scheduled to begin the counting of votes on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he is confident of the Congress winning at least 120 seats. "On May 15, we will easily cross the majority mark. The people of Karnataka have blessed me again to continue as their CM," he said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 12, 2018 09:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).