Rahul Gandhi Denounces Exit Polls, Calls Them ‘Modi Media Polls’
New Delhi: The Congress leadership encouraged its candidates to remain steadfast in the face of discouraging exit poll results. Rahul Gandhi stated that these results represent a “psychological war” intended to demoralize party members before the vote counting on June 4.
During an online meeting held by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, candidates, state presidents, and legislative party leaders received detailed instructions for conduct inside and outside counting centers. Sources revealed that Rahul Gandhi reassured the attendees that the exit polls were part of a strategy to undermine the Opposition’s morale, ensuring their counting agents remain vigilant and perform their duties diligently on counting day.
Gandhi argued that the public has chosen to vote against the Modi government, but exit polls are being used to benefit the BJP by possibly manipulating the perception of results. According to sources, Congress believes there are close contests in approximately 80 seats, with half showing a slight advantage for Congress, contrary to what exit polls suggest.
Rahul also conveyed their internal assessments, shared by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, predicting victories in at least half of these contested seats. He noted gains in other states like Bihar and Maharashtra where the I.N.D.I.A. alliance is making significant inroads.
Speaking to reporters post-meeting, Rahul dismissed the exit polls as “Modi Media Polls,” referring to them as fictional. On projected seat numbers, he cited Sidhu Moose Wala’s song “295,” hinting that the I.N.D.I.A. alliance could secure 295 seats.
ये एग्जिट पोल नहीं है। ये ‘मोदी-मीडिया’ पोल है।
INDIA गठबंधन की 295 सीटें आ रही हैं।
: @RahulGandhi जी pic.twitter.com/alETKjG3SO
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 2, 2024
Kharge instructed the party leaders the importance of counting agents staying at their posts until the process concludes. He reiterated the alliance’s confidence in winning at least 295 seats. The meeting was attended by senior Congress leaders including K.C. Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Varun Santhosh, Gurdeep Sappal, Sashikanth Senthil, Gokul Butail, and Naveen Sharma.
The meeting aimed to boost the morale of candidates following exit polls that favored the BJP-led NDA to win over 350 seats. Instructions were given to ensure counting agents remain until the completion of the process, verify 17C forms, ensure 5 percent of VVPATs are counted, and pay special attention to postal ballots.
“There is no need to hurry. Ensure all procedures are strictly followed and that all postal ballots are thoroughly counted,” advised a senior Congress leader.