The ruling BJP is expected to retain power in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s biggest state, with a thumping majority, while AAP is likely to form a government in Punjab, a poll of exit polls has forecast after voting ended for the state assembly elections.

The actual counting of votes will take place on March 10.

As many as six exit polls have predicted that the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP is likely to win a landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh which is also seen as an  indicator of which way the wind will blow during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. An aggregate of exit polls gives the BJP and its allies a clear majority of 241 of the 403 seats in the state with Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party winning 142 seats as the runner-up.

An average of 10 polls predict a win for AAP in Punjab giving the Arvind Kejriwal-led party 63 of the 117 seats in the state which takes it past the majority mark of  59.

The polls predict the ruling Congress finishing in the second position with 28 seats as the factional feuds within the party and the anti-incumbency factor are expected to have taken a heavy toll.   

For Uttarakhand, a poll of 11 exit polls predicts a close fight, with the BJP marginally ahead but both the ruling party and the Congress within striking distance of power. The BJP could win 35 seats and the Congress 32, according to the exit polls.

The poll of exit polls also foresees a close fight in Goa, with the BJP and the Congress both tipped to win 16 of the state's 40 seats – well below the majority mark of 21. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool is given three seats by 10 exit polls, which suggests that it could end up playing the kingmaker.

The BJP is also set to emerge as the largest party in Manipur, according to an average of six exit polls.

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