Modi's BJP set for surprise gains in India state elections, exit polls show

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies were projected to win two of four state elections, exit polls showed on Wednesday, projecting a surprise gain that would strengthen the party's dominance across the country.

Modi's BJP has won most state elections since a shocking performance in the 2024 general election when it lost its outright majority and had to rely on alliance partners to form a government.

• The eastern states of Assam and West Bengal, the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, along with the federally administered territory of Puducherry, are all electing new governments.

• Voting ended on Wednesday. Ballots will be counted on May 4 and results announced the same day.

• A BJP led alliance has ruled Assam for the last 10 years. It is projected to easily win a majority and return to power for a third straight term.

• In West Bengal, where BJP fought a pitched battle against the ruling Trinamool Congress party, most pollsters predicted an upset win for BJP.

• Top BJP leaders, including Modi, campaigned for weeks in West Bengal, focusing on who they say are illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh and the weak economy as key issues.

• In Tamil Nadu, a major industrial hub for electronics and automobiles, the ruling regional DMK party's alliance was projected to win a second straight term.

• In Kerala, the only state ruled by communists, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and its allies are likely to lose to an opposition alliance led by the Congress party in a tight race, exit polls showed.

• Exit polls in India have a mixed record and can be inaccurate, given the country’s vast and diverse electorate.