Lok Sabha Polls 2024 results live updates
The INDIA alliance of opposition parties is giving a fight as opposed to the predictions made by the various exit poll. In a close race, the BJP led in 292 seats, while the INDIA coalition led in 223 seats. An important trend to watch is the Congress‘ performance in Rajasthan, where it appears to be ending its dry spell. Interestingly, more than half of the leads came from Jat candidates.
Many exit polls had anticipated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would win a third term. However, what is at stake is the ruling alliance’s strength, whether it has made advances into additional territory, and whether it can live up to its ‘400 paar’ slogan.
The stakes are considerably higher for the opposition, which has merged into the INDIA alliance and is attempting to upset the NDA’s tally. The opposition has ignored exit poll forecasts, instead relying on “people’s polls”.
Whether the alleged “undercurrent” against the incumbent regime benefits the opposition remains to be seen. It would also be interesting to see the BJP’s predicted breakthroughs into southern states and big wins in West Bengal, where regional parties previously dominated the roost. Scroll down to read real-time analysis from our political editors and reporters to help you make sense of the figures coming in.
Also read: Vijay Goel Insights: Modi’s Governance Praised; Predicts 3rd term Victory; Advocates inclusive Policies
BJP heading for a sweep in Uttarakhand
For the third consecutive term, the BJP is on track for a near sweep in Uttarakhand, where the party leads in all five seats. Both in 2014 and 2019, the BJP took all five seats.
According to the latest polls, the BJP holds a comfortable lead in all seats.
Ajay Bhatt, the BJP’s sitting MP, leads Congress contender Prakash Joshi by more than 1.51 lakh votes in the Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar constituency. On the Almora seat, sitting BJP MP Ajay Tamta leads Congress candidate Pradeep Tamta by more than 69,000 votes.
PM Modi leads in Varanasi; other key NDA candidates struggle
The only reprieve for NDA supporters so far in the opening rounds is in Bijnor, where the RLD is leading, while the SBSP and NISHAD Party compete for a lead in Ghosi and Sant Kabir Nagar, where Om Prakash Rajbhar’s sons and Sanjay Nishad are running.
Even in Varanasi, where PM Narendra Modi held a stable advantage over the Samajwadi Party candidate in 2019, he trailed Congress candidate Ajay Rai at times. He is presently leading.
Smriti Irani took the lead from Congress’ KL Sharma, but has been lagging since around 9 a.m.
Yadavs leading in UP
While Akhilesh Yadav leading by 32231 votes against BJP sitting MP Subrat Pathak in Kannauj, Dimple Yadav, Akshay Yadav and Akhilesh’s cousin Dharmendra Yadav are leading from Mainpuri, Firozabad and Azamgarg respectively.
