Kharge bets on DMK, UDF victories; Expects Congress to beat Assam exit polls

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday expressed confidence that Congress and its allies will secure clear majorities in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, even as exit polls have presented mixed projections across key states that went to the polls earlier this month.

Speaking ahead of the May 4 counting of votes, Kharge said feedback from party workers and local leaders indicates a decisive victory for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance in Tamil Nadu and a return to power for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala. Both states are seen as crucial battlegrounds in the latest round of Assembly elections.

While several exit polls have suggested a strong performance by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam, Kharge said the Congress expects to outperform those projections. Voting in Assam was held on April 9, and early forecasts have largely favored the BJP. However, Kharge maintained that the party’s ground assessment points to a better result than indicated by pollsters.

In Puducherry, Kharge said the Congress put up a strong contest against the BJP and the All India N.R. Congress, adding that the party remains hopeful about its prospects despite predictions of an NDA advantage in the Union Territory.

Turning to West Bengal, Kharge acknowledged that both exit polls and internal inputs suggest a closely fought contest, with the All India Trinamool Congress holding an edge. He also alleged that the BJP-led NDA attempted to influence the electoral process through heavy deployment of central forces, claiming it created pressure on voters and opposition workers.

Led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress is seeking to retain power in West Bengal amid stiff competition. Kharge noted that the Congress contested independently in the state this time, focusing on strengthening its organisational base rather than short-term gains.

Exit polls released earlier this week have painted varied scenarios: some predict a decisive BJP victory in Assam and a strong challenge in West Bengal, while others forecast a comfortable win for the DMK in Tamil Nadu and a Congress-led comeback in Kerala after a decade. A few projections have also indicated the possibility of a hung Assembly in Tamil Nadu, with TVK potentially influencing the outcome.

With counting set for May 4 across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, Kharge urged patience, saying a clearer picture would emerge once official results are declared.

With PTI inputs