Exit polls predict neck to neck competition between Cong and BJP

Karnataka: Most exit polls for the Karnataka Assembly elections on May 12 predicted a neck to neck competition between Congress and BJP with the JD(S) likely to change the game. They stood divided on which of the two national parties will emerge as the largest in the House.

The exit polls run by Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat and ABP-C Voter predicted BJP as the largest party by getting 95-114 and 97-109 seats respectively. They put the Congress’ tally at 73-82 and 87-99 respectively with the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda-led JD (S) predicted to get 32-43 and 21- 30 seats.

Times Now-VMR and India Today-Axis My India said the ruling Congress in the State will emerge as the largest party, forecasting 90-103 and 106-118 seats for the party. They predicted 80-93 and 79-82 seats for BJP respectively.

India Today exit poll said that the Congress may get a majority, while the Republic TV predicted that the saffron party may cross the half way mark. Times Now predicted a tally of JD(S) at 31-39 while India Today put its figure at 22-30.

News X predicted 102-110, 72-78 and 35-39 seats for the BJP, Congress and JD(S) respectively.

India Today predicted the vote share of the Congress and the BJP at 39% and 35% respectively. The respective prediction by Republic TV for the two parties was 36% and 38.25%. The channels revised their figures as more data kept pouring in.

Congress won 122 seats in 2013 following a split in the BJP, which was reduced to 40 seats while the JD(S) too won 40 seats.