INDIA Bloc Reverses Decision, Will Join Exit Poll Debates: Congress Spokesperson Pawan Khera

Parties in the INDIA bloc announced on Saturday that they will take part in the exit poll debates on television this evening, overturning their previous decision. This change came after senior leaders met at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence.

This reversal follows the Congress party's earlier statement that it would not participate in any Lok Sabha exit poll debates on television channels, aiming to avoid speculation and disputes driven by television ratings.

This decision coincides with India's general election—the world's largest—running from April to June 1, with nearly 1 billion eligible voters. The elections for the 543 contested Lok Sabha seats require a party or coalition to secure a simple majority of 272 seats to form a government.

Voting for the seventh phase of the election took place on Saturday, with exit poll results expected after 6:30 p.m.

On Friday, Khera had said that the votes had been cast and the verdict secured.

"After considering factors for and against participating in the exit polls, it has been decided by consensus that all the INDIA bloc parties will participate in the exit poll debates on television this evening," Khera said in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

"The results will be out on June 4. Prior to that, we do not see any reason to indulge in speculation and slugfest for TRP," he had said in a statement shared on X.

"The Indian National Congress will not participate in the debates on exit polls. The purpose of any debate should be to inform the people. We will happily partake in debates from June 4 onwards," Khera had said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bharatiya Janata Party President JP Nadda had claimed on Friday that the Congress's decision to not participate in exit poll debates is the confirmation that the opposition party has conceded the Lok Sabha elections.

Taking a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah said in a statement that the Congress has been in "denial mode" since he began playing a key role in its affairs.

(With inputs from PTI)