Skip TV debates on opinion polls, Congress tells its panelists

NEW DELHI: After arguing for a ban on opinion polls, Congress has now decided to keep its spokespersons and panelists away from television discussions on pre-poll surveys.

The party has trashed opinion polls as "unscientific" and expressed reservations over the exercise.

"The party has distanced itself from discussions on opinion polls as it does not believe in them. We have already concurred with Election Commission's views (in the matter)," a party leader said.

Congress's communications department has informed its spokespersons and panelists to skip TV shows on opinion polls. The move to keep spokespersons away from TV debates comes at a time when the party faces massive criticism for suggesting a ban on opinion polls.

Congress has conveyed to EC that the party "fully endorses the views of the commission to restrict publication and dissemination of opinion polls during election (time)".

The ruling party's views sparked off a political controversy. Opposition BJP has opposed any move to ban pre-poll surveys saying such a move was aimed at restricting freedom of speech.

As opinion surveys showed Congress losing ground ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP mocked that "losers" were opposing pre-poll surveys as these were now giving an edge to the main opposition party in elections in all states.