Exit polls politically inspired: Amar Singh

Terming exit polls "politically inspired", Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh on Thursday said such projections cannot predict the fate of political parties as the results often prove otherwise.

"The exit polls shown on TV channels are politically inspired. Only a few people carry out the exit polls. How can they be relied upon," SP general secretary Amar Singh told reporters.

He said the exit polls could not decide the fate of political parties already sealed in EVMs.

"The results will be out on May 16...you will see who gets what," he added. Singh claimed that during the last general elections, his party was not shown as a big gainer. "But, we managed to get 40 seats. Therefore, we do not go by the exit polls," he said. Echoing the sentiments of party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav that SP would not open its cards before the results, Singh said that "political decisions and strategies cannot be shared on TV".

"But, it is a fact that we will not talk to anyone or meet any leader before May 17. It is a decision we have taken," Singh added. "I will not speak anything before May 16. I will not meet or talk to anybody before the announcement of results," SP chief Mulayam Singh told reporters earlier today at the party's central office here.

On constant attacks by rebel SP leader Mohammed Azam Khan on party's candidate from Rampur, Jaya Prada, he said, "Jaya's victory in Rampur would be the appropriate reply to Azam Khan."

When asked about reports that he could go to the US for treatment of his kidneys, the SP general secretary said that the doctors here had advised him rest. "But they say I can postpone my visit to the US. Even my leader (Mulayam Singh) insists that I should take a break as nothing is more important than my family," Singh said.