With exit polls predicting a thumping victory for the BJP-led-NDA, political leaders took to social media to share their reactions. Here is a compilation of a few of the reactions.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted that she didn't trust exit polls and alleged that it was an attempt to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs.
I don’t trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 19, 2019
Right after exit poll results started flooding in, Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to accuse the Election Commission of favouring PM Modi.
From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, “Modi’s Army” & now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commission’s capitulation before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious to all Indians.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 19, 2019
The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore.
N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that despite what the exit polls were predicting, his party would form the government in Andhra Pradesh.
Time and again exit polls have failed to catch the People's pulse. Exit polls have proved to be incorrect and far from ground reality in many instances. While undoubtedly TDP govt will be formed in AP, we are confident that non-BJP parties will form a non-BJP govt at the center.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) May 19, 2019
Shashi Tharoor gave the example of the recent Australian exit polls to emphasise that they do not always end up being correct.
I believe the exit polls are all wrong. In Australia last weekend, 56 different exit polls proved wrong. In India many people don’t tell pollsters the truth fearing they might be from the Government. Will wait till 23rd for the real results.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 19, 2019
Sanjay Nirupam, the Congress' candidate from Mumbai asked everyone to have faith.
Nothing works like hard work !
— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) May 20, 2019
I give full marks to all Congress workers, leaders for working very hard in #LoksabhaElections2019 under the leadership of Congress President @RahulGandhi
Irrespective of #ExitPoll2019 I hope God will be kind enough to give us blessings.
Have faith
Swaraj India President, Yogendra Yadav stated that the "Congress party should die" if it fails to stop the BJP in the election.
The Congress must die.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) May 19, 2019
If it could not stop the BJP in this election to save the idea of India, this party has no positive role in Indian history. Today it represents the single biggest obstacle to creation of an alternative.
My reaction to @sardesairajdeep https://t.co/IwlmBmf75d
Karnataka Chief Minister H.D Kumaraswamy claimed that the impression of a Modi wave was being created across the country through the exit polls when there was none.
Exit polls are being used to create an impression that there is still a Modi wave in the country.
— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) May 20, 2019
This artificially engineered or manufacutred Modi wave is being used by the BJP to lure regional parties well in advance to fill any shortfall after the results on May 23.
3/4
Home Minister Rajnath Singh even held hopes of the NDA gaining Two-thirds majority.
Even the Two-thirds majority for the NDA cannot be ruled out. The hope that the people of India had from Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi in the 2014 elections has turned into confidence this time.
— Chowkidar Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 17, 2019
The people have made up their mind for #PhirEkBaarModiSarkar
As most exit polls predicted that the NDA was going to win by a good margin in the centre, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah suggested that it was time to log out of social media and wait to see if the world is still spinning on its axis on the 23rd.
Every single exit poll can’t be wrong! Time to switch off the TV, log out of social media & wait to see if the world is still spinning on its axis on the 23rd.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 19, 2019
The controversial Pragya Singh Thakur spoke in favour of the exit polls and said that the predictions were a tight slap on the faces of all the so-called elitists who think anything remotely Indian ought to be loathed.
#ExitPoll2019 A tight slap on the faces of all so called elitists who think anything remotely indian ought to be loathed. Modi epitomizes common man, a plain simple Indian. He unites us unlike those who encouraged the gap between 'elites' and 'common man'.
— Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur (@SadhviPragya19) May 19, 2019
The exit polls on Sunday predicted that the NDA will retain power at the centre, while the Congress-led UPA may make some gains. The fate of NDA, UPA, and other political parties will be decided on 23rd May.
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