2023 Exit Polls: BJP-IPFT to retain Tripura; NPP in Meghalaya
The Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly elections were held on Monday, while Tripura went to polls earlier on February 16. Now, the exit polls have predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to retain both Tripura and Nagaland, where it is part of the ruling coalitions. In Meghalaya, however, the National People's Party (NPP) is reportedly set to emerge as the single-largest party.
BJP alliance set to sweep Tripura
The BJP-Indigenous People's Front of Tripura combine is predicted to win 36-45 seats, 9-16 for Tipra Motha Party, and 6-11 for Left-Congress alliance, per India Today-My Axis India exit poll. Zee News-Matrize exit poll projected 29-36 seats for BJP-IPFT; 13-21 for Left-Congress; 11-16 for TMP; and 0-3 for others. Times Now-ETG Research survey showed 21-27 seats for BJP-IPTF; 21 for Left-Congress; 14 for TMP.
Ruling BJP-NDPP coalition to retain power in Nagaland
India Today-My Axis India exit poll projected the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) coalition would win 38-48 seats, 3-8 for Naga People's Front (NPF), 1-2 for Congress, and 5-15 for others. Zee News-Matrize exit poll predicted 35-43 seats for BJP-NDPP, 2-5 for NPF, and 1-3 for Congress. Times Now-ETG Research exit poll projected 39-49 seats for BJP+NDPP, 4-8 for NPF, and zero for Congress.
Big win for ruling NPP predicted in Meghalaya
Meanwhile, CM Conrad Sangma-led NPP is set to retain Meghalaya. India Today-My Axis India exit poll: NPP to win 18-24 seats; Congress to bag 6-12; BJP and others to secure 4-8 each. Zee News-Matrize exit poll: 21-26 seats for NPP; 8-13 for Trinamool Congress (TMC); 6-11 for BJP. Times Now-ETG Research exit poll: 18-26 seats for NPP; 8-14 seats for TMC; 2-5 for Congress.
All 3 states have 60 Assembly seats each
Notably, Tripura, Nagaland, and Meghalaya have 60 seats Assembly seats each. The majority mark required to form the government in these states is 31 seats. While elections for all seats were held in Tripura and Nagaland, only 59 constituencies went to polls in Meghalaya. The Election Commission of India (ECI) deferred polling in Meghalaya's Sohiong after United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate HDR Lyngdoh's demise.
