Exit polls that predicted the outcome of the recent elections in India have been met with skepticism and resistance from both the BJP and Congress parties. The exit polls suggested that the Congress would come out ahead in Chhattisgarh and Telangana, while the BJP would prevail in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. However, both parties have dismissed these predictions and are confident in their chances of winning.
While it is acknowledged that exit polls are not always accurate, the results of this round of elections have sparked intense debate. The upcoming Lok Sabha polls in 2024 further elevate the significance of these state elections, often seen as a precursor to the national elections.
The BJP has remained steadfast in their belief that they will emerge victorious in Madhya Pradesh, despite many exit polls indicating a close contest. On the other hand, the Congress has scoffed at the notion that they may not replicate their 2018 victory in the state. The party had faced a setback when Jyotiraditya Scindia, a senior leader, defected to the BJP along with over 20 MLAs, leading to the collapse of the Congress government.
Kamal Nath, the former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and current leader of the state Congress, emphasized the importance of vision over television in running the country. He downplayed the significance of exit poll results, stating that they vary widely. Digvijaya Singh, another Congress leader, expressed confidence that the party would secure more than 130 seats in Madhya Pradesh. Singh also claimed that people were tired of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and desired a transformation.
According to NDTV’s poll of polls, which aggregates nine exit polls, the BJP is projected to win 124 out of the 230 seats in Madhya Pradesh, with the majority mark set at 116. The Congress is expected to secure 102 seats.
A similar situation unfolded in neighboring Chhattisgarh, but this time in favor of the BJP. Most exit polls favored the Congress-led government in the state, headed by Bhupesh Baghel. NDTV’s poll of polls suggested that the Congress could win 49 out of the 90 seats, while the BJP might secure 38 seats.
Arun Sao, the state BJP chief, questioned the reliability of exit polls due to their limited sample size. He highlighted the BJP’s massive support base. Prem Prakash Pandey, a BJP representative, claimed that the BJP would form the government in Chhattisgarh because people desired change.
The situation was no different in Rajasthan, where exit polls predicted that the state would adhere to its tradition of alternating between parties and vote out the ruling Congress. The Congress, however, remains hopeful of defying this trend. Gourav Vallabh, a Congress spokesperson, stated that the exit polls indicated a change in the trend, with the Congress expected to win a majority.
Meanwhile, the BJP, relying on slightly higher polling figures, insisted that the people of Rajasthan wanted to end the Congress rule. BJP MP Baba Balaknath, a candidate from the Tijara assembly constituency, confidently asserted that the BJP would form the government with a majority in both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
According to NDTV’s poll of polls, the BJP may secure 104 out of the 200 seats in Rajasthan, while the Congress may win 85 seats.
As the nation awaits the official results, both parties continue to stand by their claims and counterclaims, confident in their respective prospects for victory.
