So, today Delhiites are voting their new government for next
five years. A POLL OF ALL OPINION POLLS, which were conducted between Aug 2 and
Dec 1, predicts a hung Assembly with seats position as follows: Congress 26,
BJP 30, AAP 12 and others 2.
I congratulate AAP for its sincere efforts in making corruption
and clean governance important poll issues and emerging as a strong contender
to form government in Delhi. MY SUPPORT IS FOR AAP, which is going to make a
historic, countable entry into Delhi Assembly.
AAP has for the first
time in Delhi’s electoral history has turned the Capital’s bipolar polity into
a three-some phenomenon. Though both AAP and BJP on the basis their own opinion
polls/ assessment claim huge victories, no independent opinion poll has confirmed
their claims. Here exceptions are the two opinion polls of India Today which have
predicted BJP victory.
However, at the ground level and while talking to middle class
Delhiites I have noticed an undercurrent in AAP’s favour . If this undercurrent
sustains till their pressing the EVM button, then ALL INDEPENDENT OPINION POLLS
ARE GOING TO FALL FLAT ON THEIR FACE. And, this would be the first time that
opinions polls would be so off the mark.
I have been following the opinion polls since the 1984 Lok
Sabha polls. That year for the first time in India, the India Today group had conducted
an opinion poll and predicted a huge 400 plus seat victory for the Rajiv
Gandhi-led Congress. The opinion poll proved right as Indians in sympathy to Indira
Gandhi’s assassination had voted overwhelmingly for Rajiv and Congress.
Today evening or tomorrow evening we will move over to the
EXIT POLLS, which would be telecast by almost all news channels. These polls will
give a more better idea of the expected poll results as these are conducted on
the people who have already voted.
I end with good wishes for TEAM AAP and a request that if
you come to power then please don’t go for populist measures and enable
Delhiites to have realistic expectations from the government and, more importantly,
also discharge their responsibilities/duties towards Delhi and the nation.
