Congress-Led Coalition Dismisses Exit Polls, Calls Them “Modi Media Polls”
NEWS PRISM BUREAU
NEW DELHI:Pressure mounting on Indian media over exit polls projecting a clear majority for Modi-led NDA as opposition parties launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and termed the polls as “bogus” and a “Modi media poll.” The Congress-led INDIA alliance alleged that the exit polls were aimed at demoralizing opposition workers and were part of “psychological games” being played by the ruling dispensation.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi dubbed the exit polls as “Modi Ji’s fantasy poll” and exuded confidence that the opposition bloc would win 295 seats. “This is not called an exit poll, it is a Modi media poll. This is Modi Ji’s poll… it is his fantasy poll,” Gandhi said.
“We have to just wait and see. We are very hopeful that our results are completely the opposite of what the exit poll is saying” : CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Gandhi had a virtual interaction with the party’s Lok Sabha poll candidates on Sunday. They asked the candidates to stay vigilant and put measures in place to prevent any rigging attempts on the vote counting day on June 4.
Addressing the media, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “These are all part of the psychological games being played by the outgoing prime minister (Modi) and the outgoing home minister (Amit Shah).”
Ramesh said, “Pressure is being applied by the outgoing prime minister and home minister on the Opposition parties, the Election Commission, and counting agents to create an atmosphere that they are coming back. The reality is the exact opposite.”
He alleged that the exit polls were “orchestrated and masterminded by the man whose exit is inevitable and guaranteed on June 4.”
Alleging that the outgoing home minister called up 150 district magistrates and collectors, Ramesh writes on his X:
“The outgoing Home Minister has been calling up DMs/Collectors. So far he has spoken to 150 of them. This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is. Let it be very clear: the will of the people shall prevail, and on June 4th, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah, and the…”
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 1, 2024
Congress leader Ramesh has also raised doubts over the neutrality of the Election Commission (EC) ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections on June 4. “The EC is a constitutional body, it needs to be neutral. People are watching, not only the parties and candidates but also the EC,” Ramesh said. However, he added ominously, “But, the way the EC has functioned till now, we can’t trust it.”
While acknowledging the constitutional dignity of the poll body, the Congress communication chief remarked, “Since it’s a constitutional body, we respect it as it has dignity…”
The EC has come under criticism from opposition parties on various instances during the intense seven-phase general elections. As the counting nears, the poll watchdog’s role will be under increased scrutiny.
In this regard, Ramesh informed the media that today at 4:30 pm, a delegation of the INDIA alliance would meet the Election Commission and put forth our demands regarding the day of the counting of votes.”
In an unusual move on Sunday, the Congress party hosted an online interaction where its communication chief Jairam Ramesh was joined by Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chiefs from across states. The state leaders unanimously exuded confidence in defying the exit poll projections that favored the BJP-led NDA.
Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar claimed his party would bag at least two-thirds of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state while Punjab Congress leader Partap Bajwa said surveys showed them winning 7-9 seats. Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu asserted that the party had an edge in two parliamentary seats and was in a close fight for two others, adding they would also sweep the six Assembly bypolls. Assam PCC chief Bhupen Borah claimed the Congress would win at least half of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Other PCC heads from Maharashtra (Nana Patole), Haryana (Udai Bhan), Rajasthan (Govind Dotasra) and Uttar Pradesh (Ajay Rai) too expressed confidence in outperforming the exit poll numbers.
The opposition party seems determined to counter the poll narrative and keep the morale high among its workers ahead of the June 4 counting of votes.
Congress spokesman Pawan Khera said, “If you want to make some extra money on the Satta market or influence the stock markets on Monday for the sake of your friends, it’s okay. But if you have a larger conspiracy and you are trying to legitimise that conspiracy through these figures, then the country is watching you.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also dismissed the exit polls, alleging, “These exit polls have been prepared by the BJP and then given to the media. I am clearly telling you that they have no value. They are fake.”
The opposition parties have clearly rejected the exit poll predictions and alleged efforts by the BJP to influence the outcome through “psychological games.” They remain confident of their alliance’s victory in the Lok Sabha elections. They instructed party workers not to leave the counting halls until all formalities were completed on June 4.
Earlier on Saturday, the INDIA alliance leaders met in Delhi and alreadt asserted they would get more than 295 seats, enough to form the next government.