It has been reported that the chances of the ruling BJP winning another term during the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls has come down drastically as compared to last month’s exit polls.

ABP News-CSTS survey has pointed out that at best, the BJP can only win 91-99 seats, which would still be sufficient for it to form the next Government in the State with a simple majority.  At the same time, the Congress would make considerable gains by winning 76-88 seats.  BJP has been ruling the State for the past 22 years.

People of Gujarat would be voting in two phases on 09th and 14th December to elect a new 182-member strong Legislative Assembly.  The survey conducted last week seems indicate considerable dip in BJP’s fortunes as it is now predicted to win from only 91-99 seats which would only be a ‘simple majority’ figures for the party in the Assembly as 93 seats is the magic figure for a party to stake claim to form the Govt. in the State.

It is obvious from the latest exit polls that the BJP, which has 117 MLAs in the outgoing Assembly, might find the going tough this time.  Congress, which has 59 MLAs in the present Assembly, might put up an improved show by winning at least 20 more seats but still might fall short of the majority mark, it is predicted.  A ‘hung Assembly’ can also not be ruled out, the exit polls predict.

Only last month, survey by the same agency had predicted the BJP to win from 113-121 seats.  Political observers point out that as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been heading the BJP’s election campaign Gujarat as it also happens to be his native State, the results of the Assembly polls would have far-reaching consequences in the months to come as the general elections are also due in less than 18 months’ time.