News emanating from the national capital and from sources close to the BJP’s top leadership say that the party’s top-rung was not at all amused at the results of various exit polls which have predicted the party to lose Rajasthan, its citadel for long, and not to perform very well in a few other States including Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

Exit poll results, published late on Friday after the poll process was over in Telangana and Rajasthan, have pointed out that the BJP might lose significant ground in the three States it holds now: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Rajasthan might get out of BJP’s grasp, so would Chhattisgarh while it would be a close shave in Madhya Pradesh, the exit polls have predicted.

The top leadership of the party is shell-shocked, as per reliable sources, as the results of the Assembly polls are likely to echo strongly besides making a huge impact in these States when general elections would be held in April/May next year. Congress is also predicted by exit polls to lose Mizoram (where it rules now) to MNF, but is tipped to replace BJP in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The ruling TRS is widely cited by many exit poll results to retain power in Telangana.

Observers feel that though it is too early to predict, the BJP might be faced with a scenario of 1-4 out of the five States where Assembly polls were held. It might just be able to hang on to Madhya Pradesh but may lose Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to Congress. It is also likely to draw a huge blank in Telangana where it is going alone.