At a time when almost all exit polls are projecting a rout of the Left Front in West Bengal, CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose put a brave face by claiming to win a majority but with the total tally coming below 200.
Rubbishing the exit polls, Bose claimed that in 2001 and 2006 to, similar exit polls projecting opposition victory turned out to be wrong. "In 2001, I said that the Left Front tally will go somewhere near 200, which turned out to be true. In 2006, I said that the figure for Left Front can reach any level and we closed at 235. This year I am again saying that the eighth Left Front government will be formed with a comfortable majority," Bose said.
Asked whether the totally tally for Left Front would be below or above 200, Bose said, "It will be below 200." He also said that for the next couple of days the only work that the exit polls would do is create confusion in people's mind. "Exit polls are not at all a scientific process," he said.
When pointed out that high voters' turnout generally favours anti-incumbency, Bose said this is not applicable in West Bengal. "The people of West Bengal participates in the democratic process in more numbers," he said.
{{/usCountry}}When pointed out that high voters' turnout generally favours anti-incumbency, Bose said this is not applicable in West Bengal. "The people of West Bengal participates in the democratic process in more numbers," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Commenting on the proceedings of the sixth phase of polls, Bose said Left Front was unable to depute polling agents in 32 booths in Gopiballabhpur. "There were some more polling stations where our polling agents could not last the day," he said.
Housing minister Gautam Deb said voters have already given the mandate in favour of the eighth Left Front government.