Opinion Poll says LDF may stage a comeback in Kerala while TMC to retain power in Bengal

The Left Democratic Front may stage a comeback in Kerala while Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is likely to retain power in West Bengal, an opinion poll said on Friday. The poll conducted by C-Voter for India TV also projected that the BJP-led alliance may emerge as the largest front in Assam but may fall shy of a majority.

In Tamil Nadu, the poll showed the ruling AIADMK ahead of DMK but short of majority, according to a release. In 234-seat Assembly, the AIADMK is projected to won 116 seats, down from 203 it holds in the current Assembly, while the DMK's share may rise to 101 from 31. 

BJP may draw a blank with others projected to win 18 seats in Tamil Nadu, according to a release. In West Bengal, the TMC is forecast to win 156 seats in 294-seat House against the 184 it had won in the last polls. The CPI(M)-led Left front can win 114 seats, up from 60, and the share of Congress can fall to 13 from 42 it won five years back.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's UDF is forecast to be dislodged from power in Kerala as it is projected to win only 49 seats against 72 it has in the current Assembly. The LDF may come back to power by winning 89 seats in the 140-member Assembly. BJP-led front is expected to win only one seat, it said.

In the 126-seat Assam Assembly poll, the BJP-led front is projected to win 126 seats, seven short of majority. Congress may be reduced to 44 seats against 78 it has now. The survey, however, did not include AGP as part of the saffron alliance as the BJP-AGP tie-up was announced only Thursday. Badruddin Ajmal's UDF is likely to win 19 seats, the release said.

Assembly elections in the four states besides the union territory of Puducherry, will be held between April 4 and May 16, spread over 43 days.