The contest is primarily between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led Opposition coalition. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking re-election, while Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi is spearheading the Opposition’s campaign.
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Exit poll results for Assam will be made public only after the voting concludes in the second phase of the West Bengal elections, scheduled for April 29. The vote counting is expected to take place on May 4.
2021: Exit polls suggested NDA dominance
In the 2021 Assam Assembly elections, most exit polls indicated a lead for the BJP-led NDA.
The India Today-Axis My India exit poll forecasted a clear advantage for the NDA, estimating 75-85 seats while projecting 40-50 seats for the Congress-led coalition. Similarly, the News 24-Today’s Chanakya exit poll also showed a lead for the NDA, estimating around 70 seats for them and approximately 56 for the Opposition coalition.
The ABP News-C Voter survey predicted a closer race, forecasting 58-71 seats for the NDA and 53-66 seats for the Congress-led alliance.
When the results were declared, the NDA secured 75 seats out of 126, while the Opposition ‘Grand Alliance’, which included the Congress and AIUDF among others, managed to win 50 seats.
2016: Exit polls favored NDA before results
The exit polls in 2016 also suggested a strong showing by the BJP-led alliance, which was contesting to establish a government in the state for the first time.
The India Today-Axis poll estimated 79-93 seats for the NDA and 26-33 seats for the Congress, while giving the AIUDF 6-10 seats and a few others to different parties.
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ABP News projected around 81 seats for the NDA and 33 for the Congress. NewsX-Chanakya predicted an even higher count, estimating about 90 seats for the NDA and 27 for the Congress.
Ultimately, the final results indicated that the BJP emerged as the largest party with 60 seats. With the backing of its allies, the NDA surpassed the 64-seat majority threshold and formed the government, marking the end of the Congress party’s 15-year rule in the state. Congress, which had governed since 2001, secured only 26 seats in that election.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
