Exit Polls show Congress surge in Haryana, NC+ alliance lead in J&K

Several exit polls released on Saturday predicted a clear majority for the Congress in Haryana, with many showing a strong edge for the party in the 90-member assembly. The Congress is also expected to perform well in Jammu and Kashmir, where its alliance with the National Conference (NC) could make it the largest force in the region’s first elections after its status as a Union Territory.

In Haryana, Dainik Bhaskar predicts the Congress will win 44-54 seats, while the BJP is expected to secure 15-29 seats. The Republic-Matrize poll is even more optimistic for the Congress, projecting 55-62 seats for them, compared to 18-24 for the ruling BJP.

Other exit polls echo similar predictions. The Red Mike-Datansh poll forecasts 50-55 seats for the Congress and 20-25 for the BJP. Dhruv Research places the Congress between 50-64 seats, with the BJP in the 22-32 range. Meanwhile, the Peoples' Pulse exit poll gives the Congress a tally of 49-60 seats and the BJP 20-32 seats.

In addition, most exit polls suggest the INLD will outperform the JJP, with some projecting the former securing up to 10 seats.

In Jammu and Kashmir, polls suggest a close contest between the National Conference-Congress alliance and the BJP. The C-Voter-India Today survey projects 40-48 seats for the alliance and 27-32 for the BJP in the 90-member assembly. Dainik Bhaskar sees the NC-Congress alliance winning 35-40 seats, while the BJP is predicted to secure 20-25 seats.

The Peoples' Pulse exit poll is more favorable for the NC-Congress, giving them 46-50 seats, while the BJP is expected to garner 23-27. In contrast, the Republic-Gulistan poll forecasts a closer contest, with 31-36 seats for the alliance and 28-30 for the BJP.

As for the PDP, various polls show the party winning between 5 and 12 seats, with others in the region expected to secure between 4 and 16 seats. The official results of the assembly elections will be announced on October 8, with both regions eagerly awaiting the outcome.