As the exit poll results for the Lok Sabha elections rolled in, predicting another landslide victory for the BJP, a political war of words erupted. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi dismissed the exit polls, comparing the situation to the late singer Sidhu Moosewala’s popular song ‘295’, suggesting that the opposition bloc, INDIA, would secure 295 seats. Gandhi claimed the exit polls were mere “Modi media polls” and nothing but fantasy.
In a press conference, Gandhi asked reporters, “Have you heard Sidhu Moosewala’s song?” He then added, “It is not an exit poll, it is a Modi media poll. It is his fantasy poll.” His comments were a clear attempt to undermine the credibility of the exit polls and bolster the morale of the INDIA alliance supporters.
In response, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad confidently asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would win 400 seats, dismissing Gandhi’s optimism as mere “daydreaming”. Prasad stated, “There is no bar for daydreaming in India. The exit polls are only reflecting the exact poll. We will cross 400 in Delhi (Centre) and 40 in Bihar.”
Union Minister RK Singh also weighed in, claiming that the exit polls had effectively silenced the INDIA bloc. He further alleged that Pakistan preferred weaker leaders like Kejriwal or Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that their leadership would give Pakistan opportunities to carry out terrorist attacks in India.
Despite the confident predictions from the BJP, the Congress-led INDIA bloc called the exit polls bogus. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal confidently declared that the alliance would secure 295 seats and form the government. Echoing this sentiment, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated it was impossible for the bloc to get less than 295 seats.
Most exit polls, however, predicted that the BJP-led alliance would win more than 350 seats, with some even suggesting that the alliance could achieve as many as 400 seats. The true outcome will be revealed when votes are counted on June 4.
This clash over exit poll predictions highlights the intense rivalry and high stakes in this election. As both sides remain steadfast in their beliefs, the final results will ultimately determine which predictions hold true.
Q&A
Q: What was Rahul Gandhi’s reaction to the exit poll results predicting a BJP victory?
A: Rahul Gandhi dismissed the exit poll results, referring to them as “Modi media polls” and “fantasy polls.” He compared the situation to Sidhu Moosewala’s song ‘295’, suggesting that the opposition bloc, INDIA, would achieve 295 seats.
Q: How did BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad respond to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks?
A: Ravi Shankar Prasad retorted by labeling Gandhi’s optimism as “daydreaming.” He expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would win 400 seats, stating that the exit polls accurately reflected the public’s choice.
Q: What analogy did Rahul Gandhi use to question the exit poll results?
A: Rahul Gandhi used an analogy from late singer Sidhu Moosewala’s song ‘295’, implying that the INDIA bloc would reach its target of 295 seats despite the exit polls.
Q: What did Union Minister RK Singh say about the exit polls and their impact on the INDIA bloc?
A: Union Minister RK Singh claimed that the exit polls had effectively silenced the INDIA bloc. He also suggested that Pakistan preferred weaker leaders like Kejriwal or Rahul Gandhi, which would allow them to carry out terrorist attacks in India.
Q: How did the Congress-led INDIA bloc respond to the exit poll predictions?
A: The Congress-led INDIA bloc called the exit polls bogus. KC Venugopal confidently stated that the alliance would get 295 seats and form the government, while Jairam Ramesh insisted it was impossible for the bloc to get less than 295 seats.
Q: What did most exit polls predict about the BJP-led alliance’s performance?
A: Most exit polls predicted that the BJP-led alliance would win more than 350 seats, with some even suggesting the alliance could achieve as many as 400 seats.
Q: When will the final results of the Lok Sabha elections be known?
A: The final results will be known when the votes are counted on June 4.
Q: Why did Rahul Gandhi refer to Sidhu Moosewala’s song in his comments?
A: Rahul Gandhi used the song reference to illustrate his skepticism about the exit poll results and to convey his belief that the INDIA bloc would meet its target of 295 seats, contrary to the exit polls’ predictions.
