Exit polls in India hint at victory for premier's party

By Shuriah Niazi

New Delhi (AA) - The exit polls in five states where elections took place in the last month indicate big wins for the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India.

The exit polls have predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party would win in the crucial northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Uttarakhand.

Voting ended on Wednesday for the month-long elections. Counting in the five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand -- will begin on March 11.

The state of Uttar Pradesh plays an important role in Indian politics. It boasts a population of more than 222 million.

The state also elects 80 MPs to the lower house of parliament, more than any other state. It is often said that whoever wins Uttar Pradesh rules the country.