BJP-Sena-NCP to retain Maharashtra, edge for NDA in Jharkhand: Exit polls

The Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP is likely to retain Maharashtra, as per predictions by three exit polls. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the BJP-led NDA will be in a close contest with the JMM-Congress alliance, predictions showed.
The poll of three exit polls showed the Mahayuti alliance winning around 158 seats, crossing the halfway mark comfortably in Maharashtra. In Jharkhand, the poll of exit polls gave a slim edge to the BJP, with the NDA predicted to secure 45 seats in 81-member Assembly.
Note: Past elections have shown that exit polls can get it wrong.
As per Matrize forecast, Mahayuti could win anywhere between 150–170 seats. It has given 110–130 seats to the MVA, which comprises the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction.
Chanakya survey shows the Mahayuti alliance winning 152 to 160 seats, while Maha Vikas Aghadi could claim victory on 130 to 138 seats.
The Times Now-JVC exit poll showed a clear mandate for Mahayuti, with predictions showing the alliance winning 159 seats. The MVA alliance is likely to claim 116 seats, survey showed.
The poll of three exit polls showed Mahayuti winning 158 seats and MVA 123 seats in the Maharashtra elections. In Maharashtra, which has 288 assembly seats, the halfway mark is 145 seats.
The Matrize prediction gave the BJP-led NDA 42-47 seats in Jharkhand elections, securing a clear mandate. The halfway mark is 40. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress is likely to get 25 to 30 seats.
The Chanakya Strategies also predicted an edge for the BJP-led alliance. The survey gave NDA 45 to 50 seats, and the JMM-Congress alliance 35 to 38 seats.
Meanwhile, the Times Now-JVC exit poll showed a close contest, with the BJP-led alliance just crossing the halfway mark. The forecast showed NDA bagging anywhere near 40 to 44 seats. The JMM-Congress alliance is predicted to win 30 to 40 seats.
The poll of three exit polls showed the BJP alliance winning 45 seats and the JMM-Congress combine winning 33 seats in the Jharkhand elections.
Another pollster C-Voter, however, shared predictions for only 61 of the 80 seats; it forecast 34 seats for NDA and 26 for the INDIA bloc. Twenty seats were too close to call, the pollster contended.
Jharkhand voted in two phases on November 13 and November 20, while polling was held in a single phase in Maharashtra on November 20. The counting of votes for both Assembly elections will be held on November 23.