Victory predicted in exit poll voters' tribute to PM's leadership, says BJP; Cong terms it 'speculative tool'

With exit polls predicting a clear victory for the BJP in Maharashtra and Haryana, the saffron party on Monday claimed it was voters' tribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance and leadership while the Congress debunked it as a "speculative tool" that has often been off the mark.

Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the party has faith in the judgement of voters and this will be reflected on the day of counting.

"Our ground feedback makes us believe that unemployment, farm distress, economic crisis and painful living conditions due to the misgovernance of the state governments of Haryana and Maharashtra are going to decide the results. We think that people would have remembered these issues while polling and it will reflect on the day of the counting," he said.

BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said the exit polls clearly show that his party is headed for a spectacular victory in Maharashtra and Haryana.

The polls show that the BJP is further consolidating its position in two states that have hitherto been Congress strongholds traditionally, he said.

"The projected big wins are a voter's tribute to the prime minister's unmatched governance and leadership at the national level and an effective, quality governance in the states.

"Opposition parties which are lacking credibility and implementing negative political agenda, are playing the same old-style politics and are steeped in corruption. They are unable to offer a challenge even in their erstwhile citadels. The new politics based on positive performance is powering the BJP's continued success," Rao said.

Another BJP spokesperson, Nalin Kohli, said, "It is a reiteration and reaffirmation of the credibility of the leadership of PM Modi in terms of his positive agenda of change that focusses on development and building a new India for aspirational India."