Guwahati: On the campaign trail and also after balloting ended in Assam, it was widely speculated that Badruddin Ajmal Qasmi's All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) will emerge as a Kingmaker, winning enough seats in Assam so that no party will be able to form the next government without its support.
Two days before counting of votes in the recently concluded state elections, Exit Polls released by different pollsters are however divided on the above question.
While NewsX Chanakya is giving just 09 seats to Badruddin Ajmal led AIUDF, India Today Axis poll is giving even less. According to India Today Axis poll, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) will win between 6 to 10 seats in Assam - far less than to be a kingmaker in the state.
Times Now C-Voter Exit Poll however keeps hopes of Badruddin Ajmal alive. The survey predicts that the AIUDF will win 18+ seats in the North Eastern state.
Currently, the AIUDF has a total of 18 seats in the 126-member assembly. Badruddin Ajmal wanted to win 30-35 seats to be a kingmaker in the state.
In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the AIUDF had established comfortable leads in 24 assembly constituencies. If this trend continues, then Badruddin's prediction of 30-35 seats in 2016 may come true.
Exit Polls meanwhile show same divide who will actually form the next government in Assam.
The India Today Axis poll shows the BJP getting between 79-93 of a total of 126 seats. The Congress, led by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, crashes to about 30 seats, the polls shows.
According to NewsX Chanakya, BJP alliance to win 90 seats and Congress will have to settle down with just 27 seats.
Times Now C-Voter Exit Polls however predicts neck and neck battle between Congress and the BJP alliance. According to its exit polls, Congress will win 41 seats whereas BJP and allies will be winner in 57 assembly constituencies.
Interestingly, the BJP cadre was reportedly pushing the idea that if Congress is not defeated in this elections, Badruddin Ajmal will be made Chief Minister of the border state.
Congress, on the other hand, accused Badruddin Ajmla of having a nexus with the BJP to divide secular votes.