Even as the exit polls project an absolute majority lead for the Opposition BJP ahead of the Assembly elections in Rajasthan, the ruling Congress on Thursday rubbished the results and maintained that the party’s highest-ever polling percentage in rural areas was “unmistakeable proof” of the people’s faith in its regime. The BJP, for its part, was jubilant over the findings.
Leaders and workers rejoiced at the party’s State headquarters here. BJP State vice-president Onkar Singh Lakhawat said there was no reason for doubting the exit poll results and added that the party would get a clear majority when the votes were counted on December 8.
Rajasthan Pradesh Congress vice-president and spokesperson Rajiv Arora said the election results would prove the findings wrong and bring back the party to power on the basis of its welfare measures and sincere governance. “You just need to talk to a villager in any part of the State. Your will come to know of the government’s achievements,” he said.
Congress took stock of the situation in its two-day feedback sessions, which ended here on Wednesday. AICC general-secretary in charge of the State Gurudas Kamat said “Neither the so-called Narendra Modi factor nor the poll survey results would have any impact on elections.”
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said after the feedback meeting that the elections saw a polarisation of minority votes in favour of the Congress as well as the highest-ever turnout in support of the State government’s flagship schemes. “If our government is defeated even after so many welfare measures, no government will take up development works in future.”
