Taking a swipe at the grand old party, Union home minister and BJP leader Amit Shah said, “Congress has been in denial mode for so long.The whole election they kept campaigning that they are going to get the majority but they know the situation. In the coming exit polls, it will be their massive defeat so they can’t face the media.”
“Therefore, they are boycotting the entire exit poll exercise. Exit polls have been happening for a long time but this time, because of the defeat, they don’t know how to explain and that’s why they are boycotting. Since Rahul Gandhi has taken charge of Congress, they are in denial mode,” he added.
BJP president JP Nadda launched a scathing attack on the Congress and said, “Congress’s decision to not participate in Exit Polls, on the eve of Phase 7 polling, is an unequivocal confirmation that the Congress has conceded the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It is not surprising, since the Congress usually opts out when it doesn’t expect results to go in its favour, but has no compunction showing up, if it thinks it has even an outside chance. Their hypocrisy is not lost on anyone. Let no one in Phase 7 waste their vote on them.”
Further, the BJP chief also accused the Congress party of questioning exercises carried out by several professional agencies by boycotting the Exit Poll exercise.
“Now by deciding to boycott the Exit Poll exercise, they are bringing into question exercise carried out by several professional agencies, who have worked with thousands of associates to bring what people may have voted for. Is it the Congress’s arguments that there is a big conspiracy, which includes millions of voters, and all of it is aimed at ridiculing the Congress for the next few days, when the actual result comes out on 4th of June? It doesn’t behove India’s grand old party to behave like a child, whose toy has been taken away. One expects certain level of maturity from the largest political party in the Opposition,” he said.
BJP leader Amit Malviya also taking a dig at the Congress said “it might not be a bad idea”.
“Congress concedes Lok Sabha 2024 on the eve of Phase 7 polling. It may not be a bad idea for the Congress to stay in their bunkers on 4th Jun too, since results are likely to more brutal than what exit pollsters may have to say. Good luck!” he wrote on X.
BJP’s reaction came hours after Congress announced that it will not participate in Lok Sabha election exit poll as the rty does not wish to “indulge in speculation and slugfest for TRP”.
Taking to X, Khera announced the party’s decision and listed out reasons not to participate in exit poll debates. “Our statement on the reason for not participating in #ExitPolls Voters have cast their votes and their verdict has been secured. The results will be out on 4th June. Prior to that, we do not see any reason to indulge in speculation and slugfest for TRP. The Indian National Congress will not participate in the debates on #ExitPolls,” Khera wrote.
He also said that this decision is only for exit polls and the party will take part in debates from June 4. “The purpose of any debate should be to inform the people. We will happily partake in debates from 4th June onwards,” Khera said.
The exit polls are scheduled to be out on Saturday after the polling for the last phase of Lok Sabha elections ends.
As many as 904 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are in fray in phase 7 of Lok Sabha elections to be held on Saturday. A total of 57 seats spread across seven states – Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab – and the Union territory of Chandigarh will go to polls.
The results of the general elections will be announced on June 4.
