‘Exit poll predictions far from reality’

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 20

A day after exit polls predicted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance may cross the majority mark of 272, city’s independent and smaller-party candidates feel the forecast is far from reality.

“If you are telling me that there is a Modi wave in Punjab and Chandigarh, you probably haven’t visited the villages and colonies in and around the city,” said Nawab Ali, a 44-year-old candidate of Rashtriya Lokswaraj Party contesting elections for the first time. About the money spent on his campaign, he said, “I borrowed money from my friends, even the security amount I paid for contesting the poll. Flags and pamphlets were arranged by the party I am associated with.”

Recollecting the impressions of his campaign across the city, he pointed at the simmering dissent among the locals against the incumbent MP. “Colony dwellers are upset with the ruling party and its callous attitude. I don’t believe the exit poll prediction. It is absolutely disassociated with the ground reality. Also, in some places like Dhanas, BJP workers did not allow us to distribute pamphlets,” he added.

Having contested independently, Boota Singh, 68, a former Indian Railways Traffic Services officer, said during the campaign, he smelled a whiff of polarisation in the city, especially in areas with Muslims in majority. For him, the exit poll forecast is an eyewash. “The exit poll shown by the electronic media is a farce. It is too early to say. There’s Modi wave only in a few sectors, especially those located near Muslim-dominated areas. There is an effort to polarise people,” he said, adding that he spent some Rs 12 lakh on his election campaign.

To Chandigarh ki Aawaz Party candidate Avinash Singh Sharma, 48, the exit poll prediction gives a fishy feeling about the EVMs. “I do not understand why were the people of the city not allowed to carry their phones to the polling booths. Was it to ensure they don’t record a goof-up?” he asked. When asked about the money spent on his election campaign, Avinash says, “We have spent about Rs 5 lakh on this election.”

Ramneet (41) of Bhartiya Kisan Party too expressed her concern over the poll prediction. “This is a sheer mockery of the system. How can anyone predict the winner so soon? What is the basis of this prediction? I feel every single vote matters. While I was campaigning, there was no sign of Modi wave and I have visited every nook and corner of the city. People often told me that they did not want to vote for the ruling party because it has done nothing for them,” she said.

Ramneet said she spent about Rs 3 lakh on her election campaign.