“We are not concerned about exit polls; we are concerned about people”: Congress’ Rakesh Sinha

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 21 (ANI): Despite exit poll prediction that BJP-led NDA can come to power replacing the JMM-led alliance in Jharkhand, Congress leader Rakesh Sinha on Thursday expressed confidence in victory of INDIA alliance, saying that the public has blessed the ‘Mahagathbandhan’.

He added that the alliance is not concerned about exit polls, rather they are concerned about people. Sinha asserted that no exit poll forms any government rather its people who forms government.

“No Exit Polls form anyone’s Government. Governments are formed by people. The youth, farmers, and women have voted to form the Mahagathbandhan Government. Maiya Samman Yojana, waived off Rs 2 Lakhs loan of farmers, unemployment for youth – the 7 guarantees that were given by us, of gas cylinder for everyone at Rs 450, people voted for all of that. People trusted this. To continue this trust, people voted for Mahagathbandhan. We don’t need to go by Exit Polls…We know that the people of the state have ousted BJP-NDA from the state…” Sinha told ANI.

He said, “Exit Polls came out during Lok Sabha elections as well. They were saying ‘400 paar’…But now they are running the government on crutches. They could not cross even 300…We are not concerned about (Exit) Polls, we are concerned about people. Public has blessed us, blessed Mahagathbandhan.”

Earlier today, Congress leader Surendra Rajput said that they are confident that they will repeat in Jharkhand and will bring a change in Maharashtra.

Speaking to ANI, Rajput said, “The exit poll was showing them crossing 400 and our government being formed in Haryana. The exit poll was neither right for them nor for us. Whatever attitude the public had towards these “Gaddars”, we have full hope that the MVA government will be formed in Maharashtra. Women, farmers, and youth, none of them wants a Mahayuti government to be formed. We are confident that we will repeat in Jharkhand and we will bring about a change in Maharashtra.”

In Jharkhand, exit polls predicted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could come to power replacing the JMM-led alliance.

While most exit polls said that the BJP-led alliance will have a shot at the government formation, some predicted that the ruling JMM-led alliance will be ahead.

Elections were held in two phases for 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand.

The BJP-led alliance includes the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) while the JMM-led alliance includes Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist).

Polling for the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections across 38 constituencies in 12 districts concluded on Wednesday, recording an approximate voter turnout of 67.59 per cent till 5 pm.

The first phase of the Jharkhand polls was held in 43 of 81 assembly seats on November 13. The results for all 81 constituencies will be declared on November 23, alongside those for Maharashtra Assembly elections and bypolls across several states.