As exit polls predicted just after elections to different state assemblies ended on December 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is staring at election losses in big heartland states, suggesting that farm distress and a lack of jobs for growing numbers of young people could prove stumbling blocks for his re-election bid in May.

Congress candidates on Tuesday took significant leads in BJP-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and was inching ahead of the ruling party in Madhya Pradesh in Assembly elections held in five states.

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) set to retain power in Telangana while the ruling Congress has fallen behind the Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram in state elections that were widely dubbed a "semi-final" ahead of the Lok Sabha battle next year.

Here is a look at the exit polls prediction that was close.

Rajasthan

In the state, Time Now-CNX was closer with their prediction. They predicted 105 seats for the Congress and 85 seats for the BJP.

In line with exit polls, the Congress appeared to be returning to power after a five-year gap in Rajasthan, the country's largest state which has not re-elected a ruling party in recent times.

Most exit polls predicted that the Congress will return to power in Rajasthan.

Congress candidates are ahead in 102 of the 199 constituencies, gaining around 70 seats, while the BJP is leading in 70 seats but heavily losing in over 60 constituencies.

Madhya Pradesh

In MP, India News MP-Neta survey was the closest, by predicting 112 seats for the Congress and 106 seats for the ruling BJP.

In Madhya Pradesh, the exit polls predicted a cliff-hanger with the Congress having a slight edge.

In line with that the Congress is leading in 113 of the 230 constituencies, while the BJP is giving a tough fight by leading in 107 seats.

Chhattisgarh

India Today-Axis survey was the closest, by predicting 60 seats to the Congress and 26 to the BJP.

While most of the exit polls predicted a hung assembly, the Congress is leading in 68 of 119 constituencies. The ruling BJP is facing a backlash with leading only in just 12 seats.

Telangana

India Today-Axis predicted 79-91 seats for the TRS and 37 for the Congress-alliance.

For Telangana, exit polls have been divided between the TRS and the Congress-led opposition alliance. But The TRS will form its second successive government in Telangana where it has won a simple majority and is heading for a landslide with its candidates clinching 60 seats and leading in 27 others, in a resounding endorsement of its chief K Chandrasekhar Rao's popularity. The Congress has clinched 13 seats so far and is leading in six. Its ally TDP is leading in two seats.

Mizoram

In Mizoram also India Today was the closest, by predicting 16-22 seats for Mizo National Front and 8-12 seats for the ruling Congress.

Exit polls had predicted a hung house with the Mizo National Front (MNF) beating the Congress by a slim margin. But the opposite has happened with MNF securing an absolute majority in the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, the MNF on Tuesday returned to power after a decade, crushing the Congress and ousting it from power in the last Northeastern state it ruled.

First Published:Dec 11, 2018 5:49 PM IST