Third consecutive term for Modi, resurgence for opposition under INDIA bloc

NEW DELHI: Exceeding the general expectations and predictions of the exit poll, the 'INDIA' bloc managed to spring a surprise in places including Uttar Pradesh and thereby totaling the BJP's calculations. However, the NDA came to power at the centre for the third time in a row by surpassing absolute majority of 272 seats and winning 292 seats. BJP is also the single largest party with 239 seats.

INDIA bloc, which has 232 seats, initiated the move to form the government with the expectation that Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar in the NDA could be wooed. Modi and Amit Shah contacted JD(U) leader Nitish and TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu to avoid any further shocks.

It is indicated that they will participate in the crucial meeting of NDA which will be held today at 4 pm.

TDP has 16 seats and JD(U) 12 seats. Others have won 19 seats.

Nitish has been promised the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Naidu the post of NDA Convenor. A meeting of 'INDIA' front leaders has also been called today under the Congress leadership.

For the BJP, the party suffered a major setback as 'INDIA's' progress in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana were very much visible. In Uttar Pradesh, the victorious seats fell from 62 to 33. Narendra Modi's majority in Varanasi and Rajnath's in Lucknow fell.

Congress increased to 99 seats from 52 in 2019. Akhilesh's Samajwadi Party showed its strength by winning 37 seats in UP. Rahul Gandhi has a record majority in Rae Bareli along with Wayanad. Four Union Ministers including Smriti lost in Amethi.

Trinamool (31) also maintained dominance in West Bengal. In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (Uddhav,​ 9) and NCP (Sharad Pawar,​7) parties of Maha Vikas Aghadi also showed strength along with Congress. INDIA bloc swept TN under the leadership of DMK (21).

BJP continued to dominate in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan secured a majority of 8.21 lakh in Vidisha.

Issues including Ram temple did not help BJP.

TDP in Andhra, BJP in Odisha

BJP in Odisha, and TDP in Andhra Pradesh rose to power. BJD leader Naveen Patnaik's 24-year rule in Odisha has come to an end. BJP has 81 seats out of 147. BJD is limited to 49.

Chandrababu Naidu regained power in Andhra by defeating YSR Congress leader Jagmohan Reddy. TDP won 136 out of 175 seats. Jagmohan has only 10 seats.