Congress hopeful of retaining power

Congress leaders say neither BJP's Narendra Modi nor poll survey had any impact on the state polls.

Congress leaders of Rajasthan said that neither BJP's Narendra Modi nor the poll survey had any impact on the state elections and the party would be declared victorious after the counting of votes on December 8.

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"Party's feedback exercise from contestants is positive and polling was in favour of Congress on December 8," Gurudas Kamat, AICC general secretary and party incharge, told reporters at PCC office after two days of marathon meeting in Jaipur.

"Modi factor did not come out of Gujarat despite Narendra Modi, chief minister and BJP's prime ministerial candidate addressed poll meetings in the state", Kamat said.

BJP state president Vasundhara Raje tried to create an impact or wave, but the party could not do so, Kamat said in reply to a question.

Congress went to people with its agenda, programmes which it had done on all fronts in last five years in the Gehlot regime, he said, adding there was no substance in the exit polls and survey conducted by various agencies.

The minority and other groups had gone in favour of Congress in the polls, Gehlot said.

PCC president Chandrabhan exuded confidence of party retaining power. About 180 Congress candidates have given their feedback to party seniors in the last two days.

In Wednesday's meeting, contestants of Jhujnjhunu, Jaipur, Sikar, Dausa and Alwar apprised their leaders about the party's performance.

They also accused some senior leaders of backstabbing, and rebel's candidatures, sources said.

Meanwhile, BJP too expressed confidence of registering a thumping victory in the state polls.

The party welcomes the poll surveys and exit-polls findings, a party spokesman said.

Due to illness Raje, state BJP president, did not attend the feedback meeting, and it was chaired in close door by Gulab Chand Kataria, leader of opposition in the house.