Punjab exit poll: Congress ahead of AAP, SAD-BJP combine routed

Punjab, for the first time this year, witnessed a three-cornered contest between the incumbent SAD-BJP combine, the Congress and the debutant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The India Today-Axis My India exit poll says a resurgent Congress is set to win a comfortable majority in the 117-member Assembly by winning 62-71 seats.

The AAP, which emerged as a serious contender in Punjab with party convener Arvind Kejriwal drawing huge crowds in his rallies, is set to be the main Opposition party by winning 42-51 seats, while the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance is staring at a complete washout with barely 4-7 seats.

Highlights of Punjab election exit poll:

According to India Today-Axis exit poll, the Congress is set to win 62-71 seats in the 117-seat Punjab Assembly. The Congress has garnered 36 per cent of the total votes polled in the Punjab Assembly election.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has emerged as the second largest party in the Punjab Assembly.

The AAP is likely to win 42-51 seats in the Punjab Assembly.

First timer for the Punjab Assembly election, the AAP has secured only 2.5 per cent votes than the leading Congress party. The AAP polled 33.5 per cent of the total votes cast in Punjab.

The SAD-BJP combine has been routed in the Punjab Assembly election, as per the exit poll results.

The SAD-BJP alliance is likely to



get only 4-7 seats.

The ruling alliance has secured about 17 per cent of the total votes polled in the Punjab Assembly election.

Others are likely to win 0-2 seats with 13.5 per cent votes.

Analysis of the India Today-My India Axis poll:

CONGRESS 

Capt Amarinder Singh's leadership and campaigning played a major role. He made his presence felt with everyone.  Congress having a clean sweep in Majha region and have fairly good performance in Doaba and Malwa regions.  Congress selection of candidates was good to a large extent and managed to counter AAP particularly by fielding young/youth candidates.  Entry of Navjot Singh Sidhu gave the added advantage, particularly in Majha region.  

AAM AADMI PARTY (AAP)

AAP has done extremely well in central Malwa and moderate in Doaba but nowhere in Majha region except few seats.  AAP lost the opportunity of not having Navjot Singh Sidhu and not declaring the CM candidate.  Additionally AAP lost the opportunity by removing S.Sucha Singh Chhotepur.  The youth between 18 to25 were largely with the AAP.  

AKALI DAL + BJP 

People were angry with their Governance. They felt the State was run like a family business with interest in all business activities and to some extent responsible for the drug menace.