Victory for BJP, but with a little help from others

Say BJP will bag 115-125 seats, and will then take support from smaller parties and independents

MUMBAI: Bookies have predicted that a government by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will come into power in Maharashtra, with support from smaller parties and some independents. Though bookies have not opened formal rates at a national level, they have come out with seat predictions. Bets, however, have been placed by some smaller bookies at the local level.

Sources among bookies said that BJP could get 115 to 125 seats, and will require support to form the government. “Chances of taking support from Shiv Sena post poll, are dim,” said a city bookie, requesting anonymity.

He added that after bagging around 125 seats, the BJP is likely to take support from smaller parties and independents to reach the majority figure. “There is also a likelihood of splits in some parties, which will help BJP form the government,” the bookie said.

While bookies are sure that BJP will be the single-largest party, they believe Shiv Sena will come in second, with 50 to 60 seats. Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are expected to win 35 to 45 seats each, while bookies predict 12 to 15 seats for Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Others, including some smaller parties and independents, will get around 15 seats.

In Mumbai too, bookies believe BJP will get the highest number of seats, followed by Shiv Sena. They predict around 12 seats for BJP and around 10 seats for Shiv Sena. Bookies said that the back-to-back rallies conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have made a big difference, and Bookies say that chances of the BJP taking support from the Shiv Sena after polls are dim

The BJP is likely to take support from smaller parties and independents to reach the majority figure, they say Bookies attribute this possible success of the BJP to PM Narendra Modi’s rallies and a publicity blitzkrieg

the electorate is now in favour of BJP. “Also, BJP spent a lot on publicity, by way of advertisements, and this too will have an impact,” the bookie said.

Bookies have also predicted a 50-55% voter turnout in the state.

This is the first time since betting started on elections that bookies have refrained from opening rates at the national level. This There is also likelihood of splits in some parties, which will help BJP after the polls

BJP has also made massive expenditure on advertisements, which has left an impact on the electorate

While bookies had expected betting to the range of around Rs20,000 crore on Maharashtra elections, they decided not to accept bets, after facing pressure from some key politicians

happened following pressure from some key politicians after the collapse of two major alliances in the state. These politicians reportedly asked bookies to either manipulate rates showing results in their favour, or to avoid opening the rates altogether. Bookies had expected betting to the range of around Rs20,000 crore on Maharashtra elections.