Modi Holds Narrow Edge Over Rivals in Key State, Exit Polls Show

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a slight edge over his main rival in the key Indian state of West Bengal, exit polls from the closely contested election showed, giving the ruling party the chance to govern the region for the first time ever.

Most exit polls released Wednesday put Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party narrowly ahead of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress party, which has ruled the state for 15 years. The surveys suggest a tight race, though, after an election that was marred by controversial changes to the voters roll.