The Congress announced on Friday that it would not participate in any television debates about exit poll outcomes scheduled for 1 June. The party emphasised that debates should serve to inform the public, not indulge in speculation and sensationalism.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera stated that the party prefers to wait for the actual election results, which are set to be announced on 4 June. It evoked a strong reaction from the BJP with Union Home Minister Amit Shah accusing the Congress of being in “denial mode”.
In a post on X, Khera said, “Voters have cast their votes and their verdict is 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. The purpose of any debate should be to inform the people. We will happily partake in debates from 4th June onwards.”
Amit Shah reacted with a strong statement: “It’s nothing new that the Congress will tomorrow boycott discussions on the exit poll. The Congress is in denial mode for quite some time. They kept claiming throughout the election that they are getting a majority. Now they also know that in the exit poll, they are going to be badly defeated. That is why they are dismissing the whole exercise of exit polls.”
BJP president JP Nadda lamented that 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.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has warned his party members about exit polls, urging them to stay vigilant and not be misled by predictions. “All of you should remain fully alert, vigilant and cautious during voting tomorrow and also in the days after the voting, till the counting of votes is over and you receive the certificate of victory. Do not be misled by the BJP,” Yadav wrote on X.
