RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday dismissed the exit poll predictions that the NDA would return to power in Bihar, claiming that such forecasts were made at the “direction” of the BJP’s top leadership.
Addressing a press conference here, he also exuded confidence that the opposition INDIA bloc will form the government in the state. “Exit polls are nothing. These forecasts have been made at the direction of the BJP’s top leadership,” the RJD leader alleged.
The exit polls conducted by various organisations on Tuesday predicted a return of the NDA government in the state, a poor show for the opposition ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (INDIA bloc in local parlance), and a disappointing performance for former poll strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party.
“The INDIA bloc is going to form the government with a thumping majority. High turnout of voters in the Bihar assembly polls indicates that people want a change in government. They voted in favour of ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (INDIA bloc in local parlance) ...We will take the oath on Nov 18”, the RJD leader claimed.
He also reiterated that “around 72 lakh additional voters cast their votes to change the ruling government in Bihar”.
Bihar on Tuesday witnessed a record-breaking turnout of nearly 69 per cent in the second and final phase of assembly polls.
In the first phase, on November 6, a “record” 65.09 per cent of 3.75 crore electors had cast their vote across 121 constituencies.
The counting of votes will take place on November 14. Yadav also claimed, “BJP leaders will certainly try to delay the counting process. We will not allow this to happen at any cost. We are keeping a close watch on their activities.”
BJP lodges complaint against RJD
Patna: The BJP on Tuesday lodged a formal complaint against the RJD, accusing it of violating the election Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and other legal provisions through a social media post amidst the second phase of the Bihar polls. In its written complaint to the chief electoral officer, the BJP alleged that the RJD’s post amounted to “deliberate attempts to manipulate voter perception on the day of polling,” saying such actions “strike at the root of democracy.”
Earlier in the day, the RJD had posted on its Facebook page that workers of the BJP and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) were not facilitating votes for the Janata Dal (United) and vice versa, adding that none of the leaders of the three parties had denied the claim.
The BJP, in its complaint, said the post “falsely alleges that workers of the BJP and LJP are preventing electors from voting in favour of JD(U), and that JD(U) workers are not allowing votes to be cast for the BJP.”
Terming it to be “utterly baseless and fabricated”, the BJP alleged that the post aimed at creating distrust and division among NDA alliance partners, influencing voters on polling day, disturbing communal harmony and electoral peace, and misleading the electorate through false propaganda.
The BJP also claimed that the post was in breach of Section 123(4) and Section 171G of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. While Section 123(4) treats publication of false statements regarding a candidate or party as a corrupt practice, Section 171G penalises publishing false statements in connection with elections.
The BJP requested the Election Commission to take appropriate action, including seeking removal of the post by Meta, issuance of a showcause notice and directing factual inquiry, among other things.
