Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 21 : Calling exit polls a "medium of entertainment," Shiv Sena UBT leader Anand Dubey on Thursday rejected their predictions that BJP-led alliance will retain power in Maharashtra.
"Exit polls have become a medium of entertainment...In Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, they predicted that the Congress will form the government, but the BJP formed the government. So exit polls are just for entertainment. We will get to know the actual thing on 23rd November," Dubey told ANI.
According to most exit polls, the ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra and the NDA also has an edge to form government in Jharkhand.The Exit polls were aired on Wednesday evening soon after the conclusion of polls in the two states.
Most exit polls predicted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would put up a strong show in polls but is unlikely to cross the majority mark in the 288-member assembly.
According to the P-MARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance would win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi would get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats.
Chanakya Strategies projected that Mahayuti will win 152-150 seats, MVA 130-138 seats, and others 6-8 seats.
In Maharashtra, the primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar).
This election is significant as it is the first assembly poll in the state following the splits in Shiv Sena and NCP.
Voting for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly took place on Wednesday with a voter turnout of 62.05 per cent. The results will be announced on November 23.