The Hindu : National : Exit polls: Congress alleges bid to `manufacture' victory

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 22, 2004

National

National

Exit polls: Congress alleges bid to `manufacture' victory

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 21. The Congress today reviewed its preparation and campaign strategy for the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha polls both in the wake of response from its field observers and its political assessment.

The party discounted the results of the exit polls conducted by various television networks and said "the divergence is so large so as to make them almost meaningless." It virtually accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and its cheerleaders of making "a mischievous attempt to manufacture a victory for the BJP/NDA."

The Congress president's political secretary, Ahmed Patel, said at a special briefing that the ground-level feedback and political assessment of the Congress was that the party would improve its position in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand.

He also said that the party was gaining handsomely in Andhra Pradesh and its performance in Maharashtra was "very strong." The party would also retain its position in Assam and Karnataka. At the same time it was of the view that the secular coalition in Bihar would record significant gains.

Mr. Patel said that even though the exit polls showed a vastly improved performance for the Congress compared to the different opinion polls conducted earlier, the Congress did not accept the veracity of the exit polls both in terms of methodology and results.

"The Congress has also taken note of the mischievous attempt being made by the BJP and its cheerleaders to manufacture a victory for the BJP/NDA. The Congress and its allies are confident of registering a decisive victory in these elections," he said.

However, he said that since the Congress with other parties had urged the Election Commission to impose a ban on declaring the results of the exit polls before the last phase of polling was over, it would await its decision since the Commission had promised to make its decision in the next 48 hours.

Asked whether the party would approach the Supreme Court, Mr. Patel said the issue would be addressed depending on the Commission's response.

Asked about the campaign and whether Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra would travel outside Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Patel said at present the two were campaigning in the State. There have been demands from almost all the States for the two to be sent for campaigning and any decision would be taken after the end of the second phase. While Mr. Rahul Gandhi, a candidate from Amethi, was concentrating in the area, Ms. Vadra has been campaigning for her mother and Congress president,

Sonia Gandhi, in Rae Bareli.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National