The political standoff will be resolved only on the day of counting. (Image: X/ANI)
As multiple exit polls projected a victory for the NDA in the Bihar assembly elections, the opposition Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial face, Tejashwi Yadav, has firmly dismissed the projections. Doubting the credibility of the surveys, the RJD leader claimed their timing and design sought to manipulate perceptions, not reflect actual voter will.
Tejashwi Yadav's core contention revolves around the timing of the exit poll releases. Addressing a press conference in Patna, he claimed that these projections were broadcast while voting was still underway and people were standing in queues. He argued that this was not a mere coincidence but a strategic move. According to him, the purpose was to "create a psychological impact" and potentially "put pressure on the officials involved in the election process." This, he suggested, could influence the environment before the counting even begins.
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Beyond the timing, Yadav launched a direct attack on the methodological credibility of the exit polls. He pointedly stated that the fundamental data points of these surveys remain shrouded in secrecy. "If you ask any of those showing these surveys about the sample size, none of them can tell you. Neither the sample size nor the criteria of the survey have been made public," he asserted. By raising these questions, he aimed to cast doubt on the scientific rigor of the projections that gave the NDA a clear edge.
In contrast to the external exit polls, Tejashwi Yadav presented an internal, ground-level assessment. He claimed that the Mahagathbandhan collected its own feedback from voters after they had cast their ballots. He described the information received as "extremely positive," even going so far as to claim it was better than the feedback during the 1995 elections. This internal feedback forms the basis of his confidence, allowing him to state, "We neither live in false optimism nor in misunderstanding."
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Tejashwi Yadav reiterated his earlier statement that the results would be declared on November 14th, and boldly added that the oath-taking ceremony would be held on November 18th. He expressed his conviction that "everyone has voted in large numbers against the NDA government, and this time, change is definitely going to happen." This sets a clear and public benchmark for his claims, which will be tested on the day of the results.
