Exit polls overestimate BJP tally, fail to predict Oppn resurgence

Though the exit polls correctly predicted the BJP-Shiv Sena comfortably coming back to power in Maharashtra, they overestimated the alliance's tally. In Haryana however, the pollsters failed to predict the hung Assembly as they predicted a clean-sweep by the BJP.

New Delhi:With the results out for the October 21 Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, the numbers show that the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance retained power in Maharashtra, albeit with a reduced majority, while it turned out to be a hung assembly in Haryana where the BJP emerged as the single largest party.

The result, however, differs from the exit polls which largely predicted a clean sweep by the saffron party and its allies in both the states.

Here's a look at the difference between the prediction made by the popular exit polls in the country and the actual results announced on Thursday.

HARYANA:

Pollsters failed to predict a hung Assembly in Haryana

In Haryana, the actual results threw up a fractured verdict, with no party crossing the halfway mark. The incumbent BJP however, emerged as the single largest party, with 40 seats as compared to the 47 it had won in 2014.

Exit Polls had predicted a clean-sweep by the Khattar led-BJP. Barring a couple of exit polls, the majority of them gave the saffron party more than 70 seats, taking the average prediction to 63.

The exit polls failed to gauge the Opposition's resurgence in the state. Congress stunned pollsters by winning 31 seats, 15 more than the average, while other parties, majorly Dushyant Chautala's JJP took home 19 seats as compared to the average prediction of 11.

India Today-Axis was the only exit poll which predicted a hung Assembly in the north Indian state.

MAHARASHTRA:

Exit polls overestimated BJP-Sena tally in Maharashtra

Though the exit polls correctly predicted the BJP-Shiv Sena combine coming back to power, they overestimated their tally, as the alliance seemingly performed below expectations.

The alliance, which won 162, safely cruising over the halfway mark, was touted to win as many as 216 according to the average exit poll prediction.

The INC-NCP alliance, which was given a measly tally of 59 according to the average prediction, managed to stay alive in the state as it secured 104 seats.

The other parties also performed better than expectations as they won 22 seats as opposed to the 13 they were expected to win.

Read: Offbeat candidates fail to impress in assembly polls