Opposition rejects exit polls predicting BJP's victory in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Here's who said what

The fervour surrounding the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has intensified as exit poll results hint at a resounding victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), paving the way for Narendra Modi's return as Prime Minister for a historic third term.

However, opposition leaders have cast doubt on the credibility of these projections and dismissed them as unreliable and potentially manipulated.

Here's what the opposition leaders, including that from Congress, the principal opposition party, voiced in its skepticism regarding the exit poll findings:

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Congress leader Rashid Alvi lambasted the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) andadvocated for a return to paper ballots to ensure electoral transparency. "Exit polls are all different, but all the exit polls are showing formation of NDA government. On ground, the reality we saw... exit polls are exactly opposite to that," Alvi said over the exit polls that showed a victory for the ruling saffron party.

Fellow Congress members, including Shashi Tharoor said the exit polls are "deeply unscientific."

“We are very happy to wait and see what the votes actually tell us. Exit polls are deeply unscientific and we all know this. Last year, the majority of exit polls got the results wrong in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan," he said.

Congress' Jairam Ramesh also exuded victory for the INDIA bloc that put up a joint fight against PM Modi-led BJP.

"The man whose exit is certain on June 4th has had these exit polls orchestrated. The INDIA Janbandhan will definitely get a minimum of 295 seats, which is a clear and decisive majority. The outgoing Prime Minister can remain smug for three days in the meanwhile. These are all psychological games he is masterminding but the ACTUAL results will be very different."

Moreover, leaders from other opposition parties, such as Binoy Biswam of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Somnath Bharti of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), also expressed confidence in their win.

Biswam raised concerns about the supposed corporate bias in exit polls favouring the BJP.

“Exit polls are run by corporate houses, who have a political affinity for the BJP at its core. These are pre-decided survey results. Studying the prospects of the INDIA alliance partners, we are confident that we are going to win," Biswam said.

Bharti even went as far as to make a bold wager by vowing to shave his head if Modi secures a third term as Prime Minister.

"I will shave off my head if Mr Modi becomes PM for the third time. Mark my word! All exit polls will be proven wrong on 4th June and Modi ji will not become prime minister for the third time. In Delhi, all seven seats will go to India ALLIANCE. Fear of Mr Modi does not allow exit polls to show him lose. Hence we all need to wait for actual results scheduled to be delivered on June 4th. People have voted very heavily against BJP," he said.

Manoj Jha from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Harish Singh Rawat from Congress also dismissed the exit polls.

CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah accused pro-BJP factions of orchestrating a "calculated conspiracy" through exit polls to undermine the opposition's morale.

“Positive results are coming from different parts of the country against the Narendra Modi government. From today onwards, supporters of Modi will form a group and continue to campaign in the name of exit polls to dishearten the other camp. It is a calculated conspiracy," he said.

However, BJP leaders remain buoyant and look at the exit poll results as a result of Modi's leadership.

(With inputs from agencies)