Polls results in line with predictions

The results of the assembly polls Tuesday were broadly in line with the predictions made by most exit polls, with the BJP and its allies getting full majority in Jharkhand, and a hung verdict in Jammu and Kashmir.

The ABP-Nielsen, CVoter, ITG-Cicero and Chanakya exit polls had predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party would cross the halfway mark in the 81-seat Jharkhand assembly.

The BJP bagged 37 seats, while the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha emerged as the second largest party with 19 seats. The Congress got just five seats to be in fourth place.

Similarly, it was said that Jammu and Kashmir would have a hung assembly with no political party getting majority but that the BJP would make its mark. This has also been proved right.

"The BJP's dream run will continue with a clean sweep of Jharkhand and a second-place finish in Jammu and Kashmir when results to the assembly polls are announced Tuesday," one of the exit poll surveys said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was predicted to emerge as the single largest party in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly while the BJP was to get its highest ever tally in the state.

The PDP captured the first place with 28 seats, followed by the BJP with 25. The ruling National Conference managed only 15 seats, while the Congress was again in fourth place with 12 seats.

The five-phase elections in both states ended Saturday. The overall turnout for both states (after all phases) stood at 66 percent -- a record for Jammu and Kashmir.