Amidst the political fervor, Sonia Gandhi, a prominent figure in the Congress party, expressed optimistic skepticism towards the prevailing trend indicated by exit polls, rebuffing the projected re-election of Modi’s government.
In an exchange with PTI during a media session, Gandhi urged patience in awaiting the election results, expressing confidence in a deviation from the forecasted outcome. Her remarks surfaced on the periphery of an event commemorating the centenary of DMK stalwart M Karunanidhi, held at the DMK headquarters in New Delhi, where she extended her respects to the late leader.
Addressing the assembly gathered to honor Karunanidhi’s milestone, Sonia Gandhi reflected on her encounters with the revered figure, attributing value to his counsel and insights. She seized the occasion to extend felicitations to the attendees.
The commentary on exit polls by Sonia Gandhi coincided with the Congress party’s directive to its cadre to maintain composure amidst the speculative projections.
Why the Urgency for Steadfastness within Congress Ranks?
The party leadership underscored the importance of vigilance and resilience among its members during the vote counting process.
Avinash Pande, the AICC’s liaison for Uttar Pradesh, emphasized ongoing communication with party affiliates post-polling, advising against despondency fueled by the exit polls’ narrative. Instead, he urged steadfastness, advocating for a watchful eye during the ballot scrutiny on June 4th, especially regarding the security of the EVM storage facilities.
‘Doubts Regarding Electoral Integrity’
The precautionary stance adopted by the party stems from apprehensions over potential tampering with the EVMs, a sentiment compounded by the Election Commission’s decision to restrict candidate representatives from the counting tables, raising concerns among opposition factions. The INDIA coalition seeks assurances from the electoral body for a transparent and unimpeded counting process.
The coalition has advised its associates to scrutinize Form 17 C to verify the electoral data provided by the EC, citing discrepancies in the publication timeline of voting statistics.
‘INDIA Bloc Asserts 295 Seat Victory’
Dismissing the exit polls as a product of bias, the Congress party and its allies within the INDIA coalition project a confident stance, asserting their readiness to form the next government.
Former Congress leader Rahul Gandhi dismissed the polls as a fabrication, affirming the coalition’s anticipated triumph with a specific reference to a popular song.