Exit Poll Results 2026 Highlights: BJP leaders confident of victory, Opposition urges caution ahead of results

Congress leader Bindu Krishna on Wednesday expressed confidence in the United Democratic Front's prospects in Kerala, citing favourable exit poll projections. Speaking to news agency ANI, she said the trends indicate that the UDF is poised to form the government in Kerala, calling the projections a reflection of the public mood.

"The exit poll results are showing that UDF will come into power and it is the pulse of the people of Kerala.The LDF government is the most unpopular government Kerala has ever seen. Most of the social welfare schemes are disrupted...The people disappointed with the LDF voted for the UDF.The public of the state eagerly wants good governance and they find UDF as their choice. Definitely, UDF will win," she said.

Trinamool MP Dola Sen on Wednesday attributed the surge in voter turnout in West Bengal to concerns over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, even as she rejected the narrative put forward by the BJP leadership. She said the party had anticipated a 10-15 per cent rise in voting, adding that turnout increased by around 13 per cent.

"We already knew that this time there would be 10-15% more voting. It has increased by 13%... We do not agree with the narrative being presented by Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, and the media. In what happened in SIR, the votes of 1.25 crore people were deleted. Mamata Banerjee went to the Supreme Court and fought, after which the names of 30 lakh people were added, but the names of 92 lakh voters were deleted. Those people went into stress, and due to that, 225 people died. Everyone whose name appeared on the list this time thought that this time we had to vote. Therefore, everyone voted this time," he said while speaking to news agency ANI.

Sanjay Seth on Wednesday cited high voter turnout in West Bengal as a sign of public support for the BJP, as exit poll projections fuel political reactions ahead of counting day.

"The people of Bengal have voted for development under PM Modi. The polling percentage was almost 92 per cent, which symbolises that the people of Bengal have shown trust in PM Modi... No daughter was safe in Bengal. 4th May will be an auspicious day for Bengal," he said.

BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi on Wednesday credited the leadership and cadre strength for the party's performance as indicated in exit poll trends. She also said that the results reflect public acceptance of the party’s ideology and leadership under Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

"Under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Home Minister, and through the hard work of BJP workers, success is clear. People have embraced the BJP’s ideology and leadership. This is a great victory for our workers and our leadership," she said.

BJP leader, Gourav Vallabh, on Wednesday expressed confidence in the saffron party's prospects across multiple states, citing favourable exit poll projections.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday expressed confidence that the BJP-led alliance will form the government in West Bengal as results for five Assembly elections are set to be declared on May 4.

The results of 5 states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam, West Bengal) are coming on May 4. The West Bengal election is very important for us, and we have made a lot of efforts there. We have campaigned there to make Bengal Sonar Bangla. We are confident that a BJP-NDA government will be formed in West Bengal," he said.

BJP leader Vishwas Sarang on Wednesday welcomed exit poll projections for four states and one union territory (UT, saying they reflect growing public support for the BJP across states.

"The people of the country have accepted in every state that a double-engine government should be formed in the states under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Exit polls are saying there is a wave everywhere in Assam, Bengal, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu. It is a matter of great happiness that exit polls are saying that the BJP is becoming stronger," he said.

After a gruelling month-long election across four states and one UT, a poll of exit polls has predicted a thumping victory for the BJP in Assam and given an edge to the party over Mamata Banerjee's TMC in West Bengal. Down south, exit polls have projected a return of the DMK in Tamil Nadu and a comeback by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala after 10 years. Read here.

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) leader, Rafiqul Islam, on Wednesday struck a cautious note on exit poll projections, saying their accuracy remains uncertain and the final outcome will only be clear on counting day.

"Exit polls are not exact polls. We will have to wait till the 4th for the actual results. It is prepared by taking the opinion of a few thousand people. Sometimes it is absolutely correct, sometimes it is the opposite, so I do not consider today's exit poll to be completely accurate, nor do I completely reject it. We will have to wait till the 4th. Regarding Assam, I think there will be a close contest between the NDA and non-NDA. As far as we are concerned, I think the AIUDF will get 12 seats," Rafiqul said.

BJP candidate from West Bengal's Siliguri Assembly constituency, Shankar Ghosh, on Wednesday urged party workers to remain cautious amid exit poll projections. Speaking in Siliguri, Ghosh said this was "not the time to celebrate" and called on workers to stay organised as counting day approaches.

"All the BJP workers should maintain patience and wait for the results. This is not the time to celebrate; it is time for us to organise very carefully. We have seen how TMC has created many disturbances at the counting centres in the past, so I request all the workers to keep a close watch. We are hopeful that this time, the BJP will form the government," he said.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) candidate from Tamil Nadu's Madurai North seat, P Saravanan, dismissed exit poll projections, alleging bias in sections of the media.

"Many media outlets are pro‑DMK, while larger surveys show AIADMK ahead. On the ground, turnout was huge," he said while speaking to news agency ANI.

West Bengal recorded a historic 92.47 per cent voter turnout across the first two phases of the Assembly elections, the highest since Independence, the Election Commission said on Wednesday, according to the Election Commission of India.

Polling in Phase 2 reached 91.66 per cent as of 7:45 pm, while Phase 1, held on April 23, had logged a turnout of 93.19 per cent.

A combined reading of exit polls shows NRC+ leading in most projections, generally crossing or nearing the majority mark. Congress+ remains the primary challenger, while TVK+ and others have limited presence.

The poll of polls points to a clear advantage for NRC+, though seat ranges vary across agencies.

Praja Poll estimates NRC+ at 19–25 seats, indicating a dominant performance. Congress+ is projected at 6–10 seats, with no seats for TVK+ or others.

The numbers suggest a decisive mandate in favour of NRC+.

Peoples Pulse projects NRC+ at 16–19 seats, with Congress+ performing relatively better at 10–12 seats. TVK+ is not expected to win any seats, while others may secure 1–2.

The projection points to NRC+ leading, but with a stronger opposition presence.

Kamakhya Analytics estimates NRC+ at 17–24 seats, strengthening its lead. Congress+ is projected at 4–7 seats, while TVK+ is limited to 1–2 seats and others 0–1.

The numbers suggest a comfortable margin for NRC+.

Axis My India exit poll for Puducherry places NRC+ ahead with 16–20 seats. CONG+ is projected at 6–8 seats, while TVK+ may secure 2–4 seats and others 1–3 seats.

The projection indicates a clear edge for the ruling alliance in the Union Territory.

In a key indicator, Vijay is projected as the preferred chief ministerial choice for 37 per cent of respondents, narrowly ahead of incumbent M K Stalin at 35 per cent.

The numbers point to a shifting leadership dynamic, with a first-time entrant emerging as a strong challenger.

With an estimated vote share of around 35 per cent, TVK is seen matching the ruling bloc and staying well ahead of the AIADMK-led alliance, Axis My India also predicted. The numbers suggest the party has moved beyond being a disruptor to becoming a serious contender in its very first election.

This projection hints at a possible break from the state’s traditional bipolar politics.