Maharashtra: Congress, NCP pooh-pooh exit polls, confident of surprise

MUMBAI: All the exit polls may have predicted a clear victory for the ruling NDA, but Congress and NCP leaders on Wednesday were not demoralized, in fact, they are expecting impressive performance in Maharashtra.
State Congress President Ashok Chavan said, "Congress workers are confident of better performance compared to 2014 elections. Then we had won only two seats, while NCP had won four seats.Now, we expect to win more than 20 to 22 seats. In fact, the results will be surprising. Don't be surprised if state BJP president Raosaheb Danve and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari are defeated in Jalna and Nagpur respectively."
Chavan said he does not take exit polls seriously. "In my opinion, in view of the poor sample size, the exit polls have lost the credibility. There is doubt over the accuracy of the surveys,'' Chavan said.
The former CM said discontent in the rural areas over the dismal performance of the Modi government at the Centre as well as the state government will be reflected in the Lok Sabha elections. "I visited most of the constituencies. People are unhappy over the government, it has failed to address agrarian crisis and worst ever drought,'' Chavan said.
Echoing Chavan's view, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, "The NCP is not disturbed over the outcome of the exit polls... We are sure the Congress-NCP will win at least 20 to 22 seats." He said that in view of the row over the EVMs, the ECI will have to ensure that it is impartial during the entire counting process.
Malik further said, "Since the formation of NCP in 1999, we will win highest number of seats now. We feel the NDA will not get a clear majority, there will be hung parliament and NCP president Sharad Pawar will play a crucial role in the formation of the new government."
Former deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal said, "The surveys appeared to be sponsored. The organizations associated with the survey are directly linked to BJP."
In the Pune region, the election is crucial for the Congress-NCP as they look to re-establish themselves in the face of a challenge from the saffron alliance. In Baramati, Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule is aiming for a hat-trick. Standing in her way is BJP's Kanchan Kool, wife of Rahul Kool, the sitting MLA from Daund. During the poll campaign phase, the BJP had made concerted efforts to wrest a historic victory in Baramati. BJP's top brass, including party chief Amit Shah and CM Devendra Fadnavis, held rallies here.