BUSINESS Leaders & Financial markets Cheer Exit Poll Predicting Return of Modi Sarkar
INDIA’S corporate sector and the financial markets have cheered exit poll results predicting the return of the BJP led NDA government after the long drawn seven phases Lok Sabha polls concluded on Sunday, May 19.Financial markets as well as the corporate honchos remained confused for last several months amidst claims and counter claims made by the incumbent ruling parties and the fragmented opposition bent upon defeating the Narendra Modi led NDA government. Two polls predicted that the NDA would fall short of a majority: NewsX-Neta (242) and ABP News-Nielsen (267). Most of the polls suggested that the Congress, which had registered its worst performance in 2014 with 44 seats, would not be able to cross three digit figure. News18-IPSOS has projected that the nation’s oldest political party will get only 46 seats. All the polls predicted that the BJP would retain its dominance in the Hindi heartland and make considerable gains in the east, northern and north-eastern parts of India and the southern state of Karnataka. The election was expected to be a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s five-year government with the opposition accusing him of destroying national economy by demonetization and GST as well as to be apathetic to rural distress and growing unemployment. Refuting the allegation PM and other ruling parties’ leader claim several schemes have been put in place to benefit farmers and youth. BJP focuses on the national security in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack on CRPF personnel in February and India’s air strike on Pakistan’s Balakot. Nation must be protected first ,it said.The country’s main opposition INC , supremo of West Bengal ruling TMC Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandra Babu Naidu and other opposition leaders have however rejected the exit polls. Results for the 542 Lok Sabha polls will be declared on May 23.Polling for Vellore Parliamentary Constituency in Tamil Nadu has been countermanded following recovery of huge cash before the polling. Exit poll reveals that BJP has substantially gained in West Bengal singlehandedly and in alliance in neighbouring Bihar, Assam , other NE states . In caste based dominated politics in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and the Naxalite affected Chhattisgarh, BJP remains the strongest force. Most of the exit polls reveal that TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandra Babu Nadu has lost both assembly and Lok Sabha elections to his arch political rival Jagan Reddy heading YSR Congress Party. BJP is sweeping Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka .In Maharashtra, its main ally Shiv Sena is also performing exceedingly. In Odisha , BJP has also performed well and it has reason to be cheerful that that it political ally AIADMK continues to be a power to reckon with in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex has skyrocketed over 900 points, and the rupee appreciating 79 paise against US Dollar, the world’s most sought after currency. After soaring over 962 in early session, the 30-share index pared some gains and was trading 687.63 points, or 1.81 per cent, higher at 38,618.40. The NSE Nifty was trading 203.05 points, or 1.78 per cent up at 11,610.20.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that the BJP will form the next Government at the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a “massive mandate” of “300 plus seats” of the BJP and “400 plus” of the NDA allies. “After polling for 67 Lok Sabha seats out of a total of 80 in UP has already been held, and voting was held for the remaining ones on 13 on Sunday, I am confident on May 23, when the election results will be declared, the BJP under the leadership of Modiji will accomplish its target of securing 300-plus seats on its own, and 400-plus seats on the strength of its allies,” said Adityanath after casting his vote.“In UP, the BJP will be successful in achieving the target of 74-plus seats,” said the chief minister.
