Haryana Chief Minister and Indian National Lok Dal president Om Prakash Chautala on Thursday demanded a ban on pre-poll surveys undertaken by news channels.
Talking to reporters in Chandigarh, he said such surveys encroached upon the fundamental rights of voters.
He would approach the Election Commission and demand a ban on them and criminal action against those who conducted such 'misguiding and misleading' surveys, he said.
"I will make a formal complaint to the EC soon and will also meet the commission to press my demand," Chautala added.
The INLD chief took a dig at a recent pre-poll survey, which said the Congress would win 65 seats and return to power after a gap of 15 years.
"In fact, in case the Congress returns to power it would be after nine years, as the party had ruled from 1991-96," Chautala pointed out.
He said the survey by a news channel 'that is not aware of the ground situation and the factual position' was done only to help a particular party and to fool people.
"What credibility does the survey have when it was conducted even before the naming of candidates, which is a major factor in a poll scene, by political parties?" he questioned.
"They have no knowledge of even basic information... and they are out to pronounce that I will be defeated," he said.
The EC should take steps to stop such surveys and launch criminal proceedings, he said.
Chautala claimed as per the ground situation, the INLD would get more than two-thirds majority.
© 2024 Rediff.com -