BJP-led NDA Set to Cross the Mark of 272: Opinion Poll

TIR, New Delhi: The latest opinion poll done by the television News Channel NDTV predicts BJP-led NDA crossing the magical mark of 272 by gaining 275 seats, thus paving a path for Narendra Modi to form the next the government.

The poll projects the BJP alone getting around 226 seats, which would be the party’s strongest every tally, much more than its best performance so far in the year 1984.

Some last minute alliance with parties like Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh has given thrust to the BJP’s poll pitch in the remaining phases of the general elections.

Contrary to the BJP’s performance, its main opponent Congress, which has ruled the country for a decade, is set to face the lowest tally ever in the history of India. Till date, the party has never registered a total below 100 but this the party might get decimated to 92 seats, according to the poll.

Along with its allies, Congress-led UPA could fetch just 111 seats which are 3 seats less than its worst performance in 1990 when the alliance got 114 seats.

However, there is still one month and five phases of polling left to go before votes are counted on May 16. In the remaining phases of elections, all political parties are expected to step up their campaign since the final leg of electioneering is considered the most crucial lap of the entire election process.

From the beginning, the BJP had been projected as heading towards being the single largest party but falling short of crossing the majority mark. But, the opinion poll suggests that the things have only got better for the BJP as elections approach.

In February, opinion poll by NDTV estimated 196 seats for the BJP and 230 for the BJP-led NDA. In March, the tally improved to 214 seats for the BJP and 259 for the NDA.

Though the opinion poll projects 275 seats, considering the two percent error margin in the opinion polls, 275 is a tight spot and the BJP, to improve its tally further, will have to step up its campaign pitch in the next few decisive days.

The NDA touching the magical number of 272 depends heavily on the BJP winning 51 seats in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which according to the opinion poll it is already winning.

If the BJP-led NDA fails to touch the mark of 272, it will have to rely on regional parties like Jayalalithaa led AIADMK which is likely to get majority seats in Tamil Nadu or even Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee which is expected to win 42 seats in West Bengal.

Going by the reports, regional leaders are eyeing a good position in government formation in the Centre.