In a fervent dismissal of the recent exit polls predicting a strong victory for the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut lambasted the forecasts as a “corporate game and a fraud.” Addressing reporters on Sunday, Raut alleged pressure on media entities conducting the exit polls, asserting their lack of necessity for the opposition INDIA bloc, which he confidently claimed would secure 295 to 310 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.
“The opposition INDIA bloc will form the government,” Raut boldly declared, citing their grassroots engagement and understanding of the “undercurrent.” Dismissing the legitimacy of exit polls, Raut questioned the integrity of the companies behind them, insinuating financial interests at play. “Do these companies conduct exit polls for free?” he challenged.
Raut further detailed projections for specific regions, asserting that the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition in Maharashtra, comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP), would secure over 35 seats out of the state’s 48. He predicted that Shiv Sena would maintain its 2019 tally of 18 seats, with Congress and NCP also performing strongly. Highlighting specific candidates, Raut anticipated a significant victory for NCP(SP) member Supriya Sule in Baramati.
“We don’t require exit polls; we are working on the field. We understand the undercurrent,” Raut emphasized, underscoring the bloc’s confidence in its grassroots efforts. Asserting the INDIA bloc’s potential nationwide impact, Raut projected 35 seats in Uttar Pradesh and 16 seats in Bihar for the coalition, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
As the nation awaits the official election results on June 4, Raut’s remarks reflect a defiant stance against the prevailing narrative of a BJP-led NDA victory, highlighting the contentious nature of electoral forecasting and the divergent perspectives within India’s political landscape.
