Exit polls confound, crown Modi king

Exit poll results released on May 19 are as confounding as the election itself has been. An incumbent is being pronounced the winner but with a bigger majority, trumping key electoral considerations like caste. Only one agency predicted that the BJP-led NDA will not gain a majority but would still be close to it. Most of the surveying agencies predicted fewer seats for the NDA in their opinion polls done a few months ago. This means the ruling party has actually gained ground as the election progressed. Typically, it’s the opposition that gains as campaign progresses but if the ruling party has indeed gained ground, it may well be a reflection on the BJP’s campaign strategies. Click to read more.