West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dismissed the recent exit poll predictions, asserting that they do not align with the ground reality and were likely “manufactured at home” two months prior. In an interview with TV9-Bangla, she criticized the credibility of these forecasts, citing past instances where similar predictions failed to materialize.
Banerjee emphasized that the response of the people at her rallies contradicted the projections made by the exit polls. She pointed out the divisive tactics employed by the BJP and expressed scepticism about certain communities’ voting patterns in favour of the party.
Regarding the prospects of the INDIA bloc, Banerjee expressed optimism about the performance of regional parties like Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, M K Stalin’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. She also addressed concerns about her party’s alliance with the CPI(M) and Congress affecting her chances of joining the central government if the INDIA bloc secured victory.
On the other hand, state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar exuded confidence in his party’s performance, predicting at least 25 seats in West Bengal and expressing a desire for even greater success. He highlighted the growing belief within his party and among the public regarding the BJP’s electoral prospects.
Meanwhile, CPIM central committee member Sujan Chakraborty echoed Banerjee’s scepticism towards exit polls, suggesting that public dissatisfaction with the TMC might influence the election results in areas where free and fair elections are conducted.