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Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has questioned the accuracy of recent exit polls, alleging that the agencies conducting them are attempting to create a favourable atmosphere for the BJP.

 

At a press conference on Monday, ahead of the Lok Sabha poll results set to be announced on Tuesday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister stated that a victory for the INDIA bloc would be a victory for the nation and its people.

 

“Our exit poll indicates that the INDIA bloc is winning the maximum number of seats in Uttar Pradesh. Our internal survey also shows promising numbers for us,” Yadav said.

 

He criticised the media for supporting the BJP, claiming that their rallies lacked genuine public support. “We and you (media) were among the people to strengthen democracy. We have seen they (BJP) did not have people at their rallies, their tents were empty...nothing was seen in their favour,” he added.

 

Yadav accused several exit poll agencies of being biased, alleging they previously managed booths for the BJP. “They are creating a ‘mahaul’ (conducive atmosphere) in the BJP’s favour,” he said. He further alleged that the BJP employs tactics of intimidation against the opposition.

 

Addressing concerns about the Election Commission revising polling percentages, Yadav urged the poll watchdog to ensure proper security arrangements for opposition party agents. He claimed that if the BJP senses weakness, it might resort to threatening agents or manipulating the vote count.

 

“The Election Commission should respond to this. I hope the EC will follow all the rules,” he said. “It might happen that they will slow counting or cut the power at night,” he alleged.

 

Yadav listed several grievances against the BJP, including disturbing peace, promoting inequality, and increasing crime rates. He accused the BJP of conspiring to end reservations, causing inflation and unemployment, and allowing historic corruption through electoral bonds.

 

“Businesses were ruined by demonetisation. Small shopkeepers suffered due to corrupt GST policies. The BJP aimed to usurp farmers’ land with black laws and failed to provide fair crop prices, pushing the country into unemployment,” Yadav said.

 

He also criticised the government for waiving loans for the rich while farmers faced dire consequences and for implementing a vaccine without adequate testing.

 

Exit polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would retain power for a third consecutive term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to secure a significant majority in the Lok Sabha polls.