Exit poll predictions: Five key takeaways

NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi looks set for a second term as Prime Minister with the BJP-led NDA predicted to win a clear majority in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, according to predictions by several exit polls. Here are the five key takeaways from the exit poll projections:
Comfortable majority for NDA
Most exit polls predict that the ruling NDA will again form the government at the Centre, winning 304 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. According to Times Now-VMR exit poll, NDA is likely to win 306 seats in the lower house while the UPA and Others are expected to bag 132 and 104 seats respectively. The C-Voter exit poll has forecast 287 and 128 seats for the NDA and UPA respectively. According to Jan Ki Baat, the NDA is expected to bag 305 seats while News Nation has predicted 286 seats for the ruling alliance. The AC Nielsen-ABP predicted that the National Democratic Alliance will bag 277 seats.
Live updates: Most exit polls give NDA 300+, predict another term for PM Modi
Big gains for BJP in West Bengal, Odisha
The BJP's spirited campaign in West Bengal is expected to reap rich dividends with the party increasing its tally from 2 seats in 2014 to 15 in 2019, as per poll of exit polls. Similarly, exit polls predict the BJP making major gains in Odisha and wresting as many as 12 seats from the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD.

Close contest in UP
While exit polls have projected varying numbers for Uttar Pradesh, most of them show the SP-BSP-RLD Mahagathbandan making significant gains and denting the BJP's prospects in the politically crucial state. Based on the average of four exit polls, the Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav-led alliance is expected to win 35 seats while the BJP tally is expected to fall to 43 in 2019 from 73 in 2014.
UPA doubles tally, but still not good enough
Despite almost doubling its tally in 2019, the Congress-led UPA is hardly expected to make any difference as it will still fall way short of the majority-way mark, predict exit polls. According to most exit polls, the UPA, which fell to a historically low of 60 in 2014, is expected to bag 127 seats in the polls this year, but will clearly not play a part in the government formation.
Jagan to make big gains in Andhra
Among the parties not aligned to either the BJP or the Congress, YSRC is expected to make the biggest gain with the Times Now-VMR exit poll giving 18 seats to the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party in Andhra Pradesh.