A day after exit polls predicted a UDF victory in the Kerala Assembly polls, Congress-led alliance leaders are jubilant, while the CPM-led LDF dismissed the projections, citing the historically poor record of exit polls in the state.
Axis My India poll predicted UDF to win 78-90 seats, while Manorama C-Voter poll said UDF could win as high as 94 seats. The halfway mark in the 140-member Assembly is 71.
UDF leaders KPCC chief Sunny Joseph and Public Works Minister PA Mohammed Riyas expressed differing views on the exit polls. Joseph said the results underline the party's calculations post-polling and expressed optimism about their chances of victory.
On the other hand, Riyas dismissed the exit polls, saying they have been wrong earlier too. CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan interpreted the exit poll results as positive indicators for a continued governance of the LDF.
Govindan claimed that the surveys point to the absence of any anti-incumbency sentiments in the state and that Pinarayi Vijayan is the most preferred candidate for the chief minister post.
