Sweep for Mamata in Bengal; south wide open: Surveys

Post-polls surveys ahead of Friday’s counting to elect new governments in five states predicted the rout of the CPI(M)-led Left Front in West Bengal, an uncertain mood in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and a sure victory for the Congress in Assam. HT reports. Graphics: How top parties may perform

Post-polls surveys ahead of Friday’s counting to elect new governments in five states predicted the rout of the CPI(M)-led Left Front in West Bengal, an uncertain mood in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and a sure victory for the Congress in Assam.

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The polls predicted that after 34 long years of rule in Bengal, it’s time for the Left to make way for the Trinamool Congress-Congress combine.

But for the southern states, the polls gave different findings, indicating a wafer-thin majority for the combines winning these two sharply polarised states.

The predictions indicated good news for the ruling Congress in Assam, with most showing the party would be back in power for a third consecutive term.

Television channels, which showed numbers crunched after the completion of the sixth and final round of polling in Bengal on Tuesday, predicted that in the 294-member assembly, the Left could fail to touch the three-figure mark for the first time in four decades. Railway minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool-Congress alliance is expected to cross the 200-seat mark and storm to power in the crumbling red citadel.

In Tamil Nadu, there appears to be a tough fight between the ruling DMK-Congress combine and AIADMK-led alliance. The polls were split about who would have the last laugh in the 234-member assembly.

Surveys of CNN IBN and News 24 predicted a comeback for AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, while Star News and Headlines Today predicted a slender edge for the DMK alliance. But they made it clear the fight was close.

In Kerala, what appeared an easy contest for the Congress-led UDF before the elections seems to be losing steam. CNN IBN predicted a slight edge for the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF, while Asianet stated the two alliances were separated by a mere 1% vote. But three other surveys predicted a clear UDF victory.

In Assam, the Congress seems to enjoy an edge, with predictions differing only on the number of seats it could win. CNN IBN and News 24 predicted the Congress would be comfortably home. But Headlines Today indicated a hung assembly, with the Congress emerging as the single largest party.

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