Exit polls 2017: BJP is retaining Goa, no takers for AAP

It seems that the Laxmikanta Parsekar-led BJP, which banked heavily on their lead campaigner Manohar Parrikar’s charms, would hold on to their bastion in Goa. The 40-seat Goa Assembly has seen a close and bitterly fought contest, with newcomer AAP initially making quite a splash, but the unable to cash in on the popularity in the end.

Seat share

The India Today-Axis My India exit poll predicts that the BJP will form the government once again, taking home about 18-22 seats, while the Congress will be getting to 9-13 seats in the 40-seat Assembly.  AAP, which was expected to pose a serious challenge, would barely manage 2 at most, while others, such as the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) will get a few seats as well.

Vote share

BJP has a comfortable lead in the vote share, claiming 35 per cent of the votes cast, while Congress has a vote share of 32 per cent. AAP has got about 8 per cent of the votes, while 11 per cent has gone to the MGP/Shiv Sena, etc, and 14 per cent is divided among others.

Region wise vote share

BJP has bagged the lion’s share in North Goa, getting about 41 per cent, while the Congress is at a second position at 29 per cent, and AAP at a meagre 6 per cent.

In South Goa, the Congress has done better claiming 34 per cent of the vote share, while BJP is at 30 per cent. AAP has come last with 8 per cent vote share.

Key points:

No anti-incumbency

Despite controversies, it seems former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar’s repeated visits to his home state paid off and the BJP held on to the electorate. This, despite non-alliance with allies like the MGP.

AAP couldn’t take off

Though Elvis Gomes made for a tremendous CM candidate, AAP didn’t even manage a winning percentage from Catholics and Muslims in the state.

Congress benefitted

The second position for Congress means that the BJP-MGP split pushed up the rival party’s prospects.

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