Kerala Exit Poll 2024: Cong-led UDF May Win 15 to 18 Seats, BJP Likely to Open Account in Southern State

Kerala is set to remain a stronghold of the United Democratic Front, led by the Congress, as the exit polls predicted a win for the alliance in the southern state with 15 to 18 seats. The BJP-led NDA, however, is likely to open its account with at least one seat for the saffron party in the southern state.

According to the News18 Mega Exit Poll survey, the Congress alone is predicted to win 12 to 15 seats, while the BJP may win one to three seats. This may be a significant development for the saffron party as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also said the party will make a dent ruled by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), which may end up with two to five seats.

Pollsters have predicted UDF dominance in Kerala, where sitting MP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is a candidate from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.

In the island union territory of Lakshadweep, meanwhile, is also predicted to go the INDIA bloc. The election to Lakshadweep’s sole seat in the Lok Sabha took place in the first phase of the elections on April 19, in which it recorded a voter turnout of 83.88 per cent. The constituency witnessed a fierce battle between sitting MP and NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Mohammed Faizal and Congress leader Hamdullah Sayeed. Yusuf TP of the NCP (Ajit Pawar) was also in the fray.

What are the stakes in Kerala?

A total of 20 Lok Sabha seats are up for grabs in Kerala, which voted in a single phase during the second round on April 26, recorded an average voter turnout of 71.27 per cent. The overall voter turnout has dropped from the 2019 general elections. This time, at least nine seats recorded a turnout below 70 per cent and none of the seats reported turnout above 80 per cent. Pathanamthitta (63.37 per cent) saw the lowest turnout in 2024 while Vadakara (78.41 per cent) reported the highest.