As the country moves towards the declaration of results on May 4, the Bharatiya Janata Party has projected strong confidence in the National Democratic Alliance’s electoral performance, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asserting that the outcome will reflect the resilience of India’s democratic process. His remarks come after voting concluded, which he described as notably calmer than in earlier elections, especially in West Bengal.
Addressing the media, Poonawalla pointed to what he called a visible change in the conduct of elections in West Bengal. He remarked that past polls in the state had frequently witnessed violence and even fatalities, but maintained that this time the situation remained largely under control. According to him, the deployment of central forces ensured that voters could participate without the fear that had often defined previous elections.
Reduced Violence Takes Centre Stage
Poonawalla highlighted that incidents of unrest were minimal during the current polling cycle. He credited both the Election Commission and central agencies for ensuring tighter monitoring and security arrangements. In his view, the relatively peaceful nature of voting reflects improved coordination and a more robust administrative approach.
By drawing attention to this shift, the BJP has sought to position the election as a step forward for democratic functioning in regions that have historically faced tensions during polling.
NDA Eyes Gains Across Multiple Battlegrounds
Beyond conducting elections, the BJP has relied on exit poll results to reinforce its optimistic outlook. Poonawalla suggested that early projections point towards a favourable trend for the NDA, describing the alliance’s symbol as gaining ground across states.
He expressed confidence that the alliance is on course to secure another term in Assam, marking what he described as a third consecutive return. In Tamil Nadu, he indicated that the NDA, in partnership with the AIADMK, is aiming to regain power, even as competing projections suggest a tighter race. He also maintained that the alliance is likely to return to office in Puducherry.
In West Bengal, Poonawalla struck a decisive tone, asserting that a political shift in the state appears imminent based on current trends.
Exit Polls Paint a Mixed Electoral Landscape
Exit polls released earlier present a varied picture across states. While several projections indicate that the BJP-led NDA may retain its hold in Assam, the situation differs elsewhere. In Kerala, surveys point towards an advantage for the Congress-led United Democratic Front.
Tamil Nadu is expected to remain competitive, with projections largely favouring the DMK-led alliance to continue in power. However, one survey has suggested that actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam could emerge as a significant force by matching the DMK’s vote share in its first electoral outing.
In Puducherry, forecasts indicate that the NR Congress-led alliance may return to power. Meanwhile, West Bengal is shaping up to be a closely fought contest, with multiple surveys placing the BJP ahead, though without a clear consensus.
With the final verdict just days away, the BJP’s messaging remains assertive, combining claims of improved electoral conduct with expectations of political gains. Whether these projections hold will become evident once the votes are counted, but the party has already framed the narrative as one of momentum and consolidation.
