Kharge predicts clear majority for allies in TN, Kerala

Mallikarjun Kharge exuded confidence of Congress-led alliances securing majorities in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, while outperforming exit polls in Assam. He cited tough contests in Puducherry and West Bengal, alleging BJP intimidation, with results for five states due May 4

Kalaburagi (Karnataka): AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday expressed confidence that the alliances of which the Congress is a part, will get a clear majority in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where Assembly elections were held earlier this month.

In Assam, where Assembly polls were held on April 9, Congress will win more seats than the exit polls show, he said. He added that the grand old party gave a tough fight in Puducherry, and in West Bengal the fight has been for the party’s growth.

---

The counting of votes for all the five assemblies — West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, will be taken up on May 4.

“Exit poll results are shown clearly for some places, but some results have created confusion. But I feel DMK will get a clear majority in Tamil Nadu, I have also spoken to people there. In the same way in Kerala, I have been told by our people that (Congress-led) UDF will get majority,” Kharge said in response to a question.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “Exit polls have shown that in Assam we are not getting seats as expected, but I’m confident that we will get more seats than what they are showing. In Puducherry we have equally fought against BJP and N R Congress and we have expectations from there too. There was a tough fight there; let’s wait and see for a couple of days.” In West Bengal, according to exit polls and internal information there was a tough fight, Kharge said, “As per our information TMC is ahead.”

Alleging “oppression and intimidation” by the BJP and NDA through the deployment of central forces in West Bengal during polls, he said, “By doing that they have tried to give a strong fight to the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC.”

“For Congress, our fight has been in West Bengal since the beginning. We have contested alone for the first time there. Our fight has been in the interest of the party and for the party’s growth there,” Kharge added.

As per his feedback, the results will be as expected by the party. “Let’s see, there are three more days. If we say things now itself unnecessarily, it won’t look good. If we wait for a couple of days, a clear picture will emerge, let’s see what happens.”

Several exit polls on Wednesday predicted a thumping victory for the BJP in Assam and a clear edge for the party over the ruling TMC in West Bengal, while projecting a return of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and a comeback by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala after 10 years.

However, some pollsters predicted a big win for the TMC in West Bengal and a hung House in Tamil Nadu with actor-turned politician Vijay’s TVK emerging as a spoiler for the DMK. Almost all forecast a return to power for the AINRC-led NDA government in Puducherry.