Alleging a “political conspiracy” behind the allegedly “manufactured” opinion polls aired by some leading national television channels recently, the Congress and the AAP have urged the Election Commission (EC) to order a criminal investigation.
Citing a sting operation by a news channel that showed that some leading opinion poll agencies are willing to tweak their findings for money paid by political parties, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal also urged the EC to institute a code of conduct and a regulatory authority for such polls.
He also called for a probe into the role of political parties, such as the BJP, Trinamool Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal, which have been cited in the sting.
At a press conference, Kejriwal said the National Broadcasters Standards Authority (NBSA) should get the tapes verified. “If found doctored, then TV channels that aired the opinion polls (Times Now, Headlines Today, India TV) owe an explanation to the people,” he added.
Senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav, who is also a psephologist, said: “If true (the sting operation), this is a dark hour for the opinion poll industry, the media and democracy.”
He added that standard protocols should be followed, as in countries such as the UK and the US.
Calling for greater media accountability, Kejriwal said “for reasons of credibility, all media organisations must be required to disclose their political and corporate links outside the media business.” He said media houses should also disclose the list of their shareholders, investors, lenders and their annual financial statements.
The AAP said it will write to the NBSA, the EC and the Editor’s Guild on the issue.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders met the EC on Wednesday and urged it to invoke its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution to ensure free and fair polls by issuing instructions banning opinion polls until expiry of 48 hours from the close of polling for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.