Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Wednesday alleged that the DMK is deliberately circulating false information in the name of post-election opinion polls to mislead the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK workers.
In a statement, EPS said there is no need for anyone to be disturbed by post-poll survey projections, arguing that opinion polls have not historically matched actual outcomes. He claimed the AIADMK has repeatedly “broken” such predictions and gone on to form governments.
Citing past elections, he said some surveys during the 2011 Assembly polls predicted a continuation of the DMK government, while only a few indicated an AIADMK win. He said the AIADMK-led alliance won 203 seats that year and formed the government, and that a similar pattern was seen in 2016 as well.
EPS further alleged that Chief Minister M K Stalin knows the DMK is headed for defeat and that there could be a conspiracy behind the release of such surveys. He claimed the DMK may attempt to create an impression of victory and then use it to justify irregularities during vote counting or trigger unrest.
He urged AIADMK booth agents, candidates, office-bearers and election in-charges to remain highly vigilant at counting centres. EPS reiterated that, in his view, the DMK would not return to power and that the AIADMK would form the next government with a clear majority.
