Exit polls conducted after voting in West Bengal and Assam suggest a favorable outcome for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In Assam, two major exit polls, Axis My India and JVC, estimate 88-101 seats for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 126-member assembly, while Congress and its allies are trailing. West Bengal polls show varied results but indicate a possible BJP majority, with estimates ranging from 142 to over 200 seats. Despite this political backdrop, early market indicators are cautious, with GIFT Nifty down over 100 points, suggesting a muted start for domestic equities. Analysts, including Vishnu Tripathi from Garud Investment Managers, note that while exit polls can create short-term volatility, the overall market direction is more influenced by macroeconomic factors such as earnings growth, inflation, and interest rates. The recent market rally, which saw the Sensex gain over 600 points, was attributed to strong corporate earnings rather than political events. However, global concerns, including high crude oil prices near $110 per barrel, foreign institutional outflows, and a weak rupee, continue to weigh on market sentiment. Technical analysts point out that the Nifty index is at a critical juncture, with immediate support at 24,150 and 23,900, while resistance is noted at 24,350 and 24,550. Overall, the market's reaction to the exit polls is expected to be selective, particularly affecting stocks linked to infrastructure and regional spending.