Channels changed exit polls under pressure, confident of SP victory, claims Ram Gopal Yadav

With various exit polls showing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading in Assembly elections, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav on Friday dubbed the prediction as nonsensical saying that they have been changed under pressure.

"These exit polls are nonsensical. I have information that the original exit polls were changed under pressure by channels few days back," Ram Gopal Yadav said. "We are 100% winning the elections," he added.

Yadav further expressed confidence over winning the assembly polls.

Pollsters have predicted the BJP as the largest party in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur while a setback for SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday dubbed Yadav's remark on the exit poll as contradictory, it said if Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is so confident, then why did he enter into an alliance with the Congress. 

"Ram Gopal Yadav's statement is in itself contradictory because Akhilesh Yadav knew he won't be able to form government in Uttar Pradesh. Had he been confident, why would had he contested the elections by forming an alliance," BJP leader Shrikant Sharma said. 

Sharma further questioned Akhilesh on why he needed to compromise with the Congress. "What pressure did he have due to which he compromised with the Congress? What was the pressure on Akhilesh that he hinted towards an alliance with Mayawati only over an exit poll," he asked.

As voting wraps up in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand, the results will be declared on March 11.