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Follow this space for all the live updates on the exit polls for Punjab.
ABP-CSDS gave Congress a lead in Punjab and said that it is possible for the party to form the government in the state. Congress was given 46-56 seats while it was predicted that AAP can get somewhere around 36-46 seats. The ruling SAD/BJP’s vote share has come down significantly from last time.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is projected to form a government winning 59 to 67 of the 117 assembly seats in Punjab, an India TV-CVoter exit poll said on Thursday. The Congress could come second with 41-49 seats and the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine was projected to finish with just 5-13 seats.
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It is a neck and neck fight between the Congress and the AAP while the ruling SAD-BJP may face a drubbing, according to pollsters.
News 24-Chanakya forecasts a dead heat giving 55 to the Congress and 54 to the AAP.
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Punjab, which witnessed a triangular contest in the Assembly polls could have a close contest for AAP and Congress.
NewsX-MRC forecasted a tough fight between AAP and Congress giving 55 seats to both the parties.
SAD-BJP combine, which has been ruling the state for 10 years, could be struggling to get even into double-digits in the 117-member House due to multiple factors including the anti-incumbency.
India Today-Axis exit polls gave 62-71 seats to the Congress and 42-51 to AAP.
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Third time lucky, third time unlucky or making it in the first attempt. This sums up the political fortunes of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and the AAP respectively as Punjab prepares to count the votes of 117 assembly seats on Saturday.
The fate of the Akali Dal-BJP combine, which has been ruling Punjab since 2007 and is taking a third shot at power; the Congress - which has been unlucky in 2007 and 2012 and is in a do-or-die situation; and the Aam Aadmi Party, a completely new entrant in Punjab's political space but has made deep inroads, should be clear by noon on Saturday.
While the Akali Dal-BJP combine is upbeat about a hat-trick, the Congress is sure about staging a comeback with a comfortable majority. The AAP, which has emerged as a serious contender, is the crucial factor that could stand in the way of the wishes of both these traditional parties.
Leaders of all parties, in private conversations, are afraid of seeing a hung house.
Polling in Punjab took place in a single phase on 4 February and had about 70 percent turnout till 4 pm. All the big-wigs from parties came to state who they thought would win. Things got ugly as accusations were hurled at politicians by other politicians, calling them “defectors”, “ISI funded”, “drama-queens”. Bikers opened fire at a Ferozepur polling booth, but no casualties were reported.
What first-time voters want from this election is not a party that comes to power and puts the party first, but one puts Punjab first and generates employment.
Polling started an hour late in Punjab on Saturday due to bad weather conditions.
In the 2012 Assembly elections, the state witnessed a direct contest between Congress and SAD-BJP coalition. The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal – Bharatiya Janata Party alliance led by Parkash Singh Badal won the elections by securing 68 out of 117 seats.
The SAD won 56 seats, whereas BJP secured 12 seats out of 24 it contested. Indian National Congress, under the leadership of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, won 46 seats.
Over 1.98 crore people were eligible to vote in the high stakes election, the first after PM Modi’s demonetisation move. 1,145 candidates, including 81 women and one transgender candidate, contested for the 117 assembly seats.
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