New Delhi:
The BJP is likely to win 17 of the 25 seats in Rajasthan in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, according to an opinion poll conducted by News Nation.
The Congress, which defeated the BJP in last year’s assembly elections in the state, is expected to win the remaining eight seats, the opinion poll added.
The data shows a downfall in BJP’s performance which had won all the 25 seats in the state in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP is expected to get a vote share of 40 per cent while the Congress may garner 36 per cent of the votes, according to the poll.
The opinion poll has predicted 270 seats for the NDA in the Lok Sabha elections, while the UPA may win 134 seats. Others are expected to claim victory on 139 seats, it added.
In the state assembly elections held in December last year, the BJP suffered a major blow at Congress’ hands. The Congress won 99 seats, BJP won 73 and BSP won 6 seats out of the 199 seats that went to polls. Mayawati supported the Congress, helping it cross the majority mark of 101 and form government.
Also See | Opinion Poll: PM Modi likely to win Lok Sabha polls 2019, may get second term
Political observers blamed the BJP's loss on the SC/ST seats on the 'Bharat Bandh' and the anti-incumbency factor against the party.
Riding on the resentment, the Congress won most of the seats in the eastern districts of Rajasthan which were dominated by the SC/ST communities.
Lok Sabha elections will be held in two phases in Rajasthan where 13 constituencies will go to polls on April 29 and remaining 12 seats on May 6.
As per the schedule, Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran will go to poll on April 29.
Elections in Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa and Nagaur will take place in second phase on May 6.
