Exit polls out in key state elections

In the northeastern state of Assam, forecasts show the BJP retaining power for a third consecutive term. Four polls show the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance crossing the majority mark in the 126-seat state legislature. 

In the southern state of Kerala, a power shift could be in the making as all polls unanimously predict the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) emerging victorious. 

In the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, a majority of exit polls show the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance under chief minister M K Stalin staying on at the helm. 

The AIADMK-led NDA, with BJP as one of the allies, is predicted to fail in its challenge to the DMK.

One poll, Axis My India, shows actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) beating the Dravidian giants and emerging as the single-largest party to get more seats in its debut election. 

The BJP has also never been in power in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

In Puducherry, the NDA alliance led by All India N. R Congress (AINRC) alongside the BJP is predicted to return for a second term with a comfortable margin. 

A mixed outcome is predicted in the eastern state of West Bengal, where the BJP is facing Mamata Banerjee’s ​ruling Trinamool Congress party (TMC). Modi’s party has never held power in the state.

The prelude to the elections in West Bengal was marked by large-scale deletions of voters under a controversial electoral roll revision. The climax saw a whopping 92.9% voter turnout.

Two pollsters show the BJP bagging a narrow majority while one shows the TMC easily crossing the crucial mark in the  294-member Legislative Assembly. Two more agencies are expected to release their exit polls in the state’s election today. 

A cluster of exit polls have forecasted wins for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its partners in two out of four state elections as the ruling Hindu nationalist party seeks further gains across the country. 

State Assembly elections were held in the Indian states of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry over the past month. 

Polling culminated with the last phase of the ballot in West Bengal on Wednesday. 

The exit polls dominated Indian news channels shortly after. 

In India, exit polls — which measure voter preferences — have had a mixed record when it comes to accuracy, given the nation’s mammoth and diverse electorate. 

An official vote count in the crucial elections is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 4, with the results being declared on the same day. 

This is Dharvi Vaid Dhulia from DW’s studio in New Delhi and I am back with your daily news capsule of all the biggest headlines creating a buzz in India. 

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake hit Leh in the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh early this morning.

However, all eyes are on the political ripples emanating from India’s east and south, after exit poll predictions in key state elections were released last evening. The foreshocks are being closely monitored in the power center of New Delhi. 

The world’s most famous and —  arguably the most controversial —  diamond is back in the news. The nudge for Britain to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India — a longstanding demand — this time has come from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. 

Let’s dive straight in to find out what India is talking about today.