Srinagar
Reacting to the Exit Polls predicting more seats for the NDA than in the 2019 elections, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized social media for its wishful thinking. On Sunday, he took to his X handle, saying Déjà vu. Five years ago, during the campaign, it was said, he’s gone back to Hindu-Muslim rhetoric, the BJP is in trouble.’ Then the Exit Polls came ‘Have you seen the numbers? I’m depressed, this can’t be happening.’ This year, it’s the same: ‘He’s relying on Muslim bashing, the BJP won’t cross 250.’ Now at Exit Poll time: ‘Damn, I’m depressed. How can this be happening again?’ Social media creates an echo chamber where wishful thinking is mistaken for the national narrative.
Omar criticized social media for attempting to create a false narrative that the NDA would not secure a majority. He argued that this echo chamber had not succeeded in turning its wishful thinking into reality.
The Exit Polls predict three seats for the National Conference (NC) and two for the BJP out of the five Lok Sabha seats in J&K. Omar Abdullah, the NC candidate from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, faces competition from Sajad Gani Lone of the People’s Conference and the incarcerated former MLA Engineer Rashid of the Awami Itihad Party. The Exit Polls also predict Omar’s victory in Baramulla.
