Exit polls predict hung government in Goa

New Delhi: According to the aggregates out on nine exit polls, Goa might be ruled by another hung government, similar to what the situation was in 2017, NDTV reports.

The surfaced exit poll data suggests that both BJP and Congress will win 16 seats each in the 40 seated assembly while Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) is predicted to be the "kingmaker". Exit polls indicate that Trinamool will win three seats and have a say in forming the government. TMC is contesting in Goa for the first time, which is in pursuit of becoming a national level party.

India News and India TV-Gound Zero Research predicted TMC to win three to five seats. The latter also predicts Congress town 20 to 25 seats in the coastal state.

Meanwhile, India TV-CNX found that the BJP will win 16 to 22 seats while Congress 15 to 17. Republic TV's exit poll showed both BJP and Congress winning 13 to 17 seats. But, no agencies have predicted any winnings of Arvind Kejriwals' Aam Aadmi Party in Goa.

While exit polls do not always turn out right, the counting of votes in the state is scheduled for March 10.

Meanwhile, Goan Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is fully confident that BJP will form the next government in the state. It will get 18-22 seats to come back to power in Goa. BJP will be back to power in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur, too, he said and added that the party would perform well in Punjab.

In 2017, despite Congress winning the majority of seats, BJP canvassed local parties and independents to form government in the state. Congress, however, had sent its senior leaders to the poll-bound five states to avoid resignations and crossovers by its candidates.