UP BJP revels in exit poll numbers

The exit poll predictions for Uttar Pradesh have come as a shocker for non-BJP parties in the state. Though they have put up a brave face and disregarded the projections, the tension is palpable.

Barring the BJP, offices of the Samajwadi Party, Congress and the BSP wore a deserted look, reflecting the mood of the party workers and office-bearers.

The exit polls have predicted a clean sweep for the BJP in the state. Most have pegged the seats for the saffron party as between 46 and 54, with one poll even saying it would get 70 seats. The ruling SP, Congress and the BSP are headed for a dismal performance this time, according to the polls.

Buoyed by the predictions, state BJP leaders said the exit polls go to show that there is a ‘Modi wave’ there. “We had been maintaining that the results in UP would be surprising...the exit polls have only proved that,” said Vijay Bahadur Pathak, a state party leader here. Pathak said the BJP could win around 60 seats in the state.

The Congress, on the other hand, completely dismissed the predictions terming them “unscientific”. “We would like to wait for the results. We do not believe in pre-polls, post-polls and exit polls,” said senior Congress leader Satyadeo Tripathi.

SP leaders also termed the exit poll numbers as nothing but “trash”. “In the 2012 Assembly polls also, opinion and exit polls had indicated a hung assembly but we got absolute majority.

This time too, they will prove to be incorrect,” they said, adding that the SP would win maximum seats in UP and the Third Front would form the next government. BSP leaders too exuded confidence that the party would fare better and play an important role at the Centre.