Hours before the release of the 2024 Lok Sabha election exit poll results, election strategist Prashant Kishor reiterated his prediction on the performance of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA. As several national and regional news channels, along with poll survey agencies, prepared to release their exit poll results around 6:30 pm following the conclusion of phase 7 voting on Saturday, June 1, Kishor shared his insights.
Kishor predicted that the BJP might win 303 seats, mirroring its performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, or possibly slightly more. He also suggested a potential rise in the BJP’s seat tally and vote share in the eastern and southern states, highlighting the party's efforts to strengthen its presence in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. According to Kishor, the BJP anticipates gains in these regions due to the electorate's relative unfamiliarity with the party.
The political strategist had previously stated that there was neither significant dissatisfaction with the incumbent BJP government at the Centre nor a strong demand for an alternative in the 2024 elections. In an interview with NDTV, Kishor, who leads the Jan Suraaj Party, asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lead the BJP to another victory, predicting the party's seat count could be close to or even surpass its 2019 tally of 303.
The seventh and final phase of voting marks the end of a marathon polling process that began on April 19. Concurrently, the assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim also went to polls. The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections will commence on June 4, while the counting for the assembly polls in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will be held on June 2.
According to the Election Commission's guidelines, television channels and news outlets are permitted to broadcast exit poll data and results after 6:30 pm. The poll panel has urged voters to participate in greater numbers and vote responsibly and proudly.
As the nation awaits the exit poll results, Kishor's predictions contribute to the ongoing discourse about the likely outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
