GPP seeks ban on opinion polls in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) on Monday demanded a ban on opinion polls in the state saying they cloud voters` mind and cause prejudices.

"Opinion polls create predetermined mind of voters and that`s a biggest impediment before the conduct of free and fair elections. Hence we urged the Election Commission to put a ban on it in Gujarat Assembly elections," GPP General Secretary Gordhan Zadafia told reporters here. Gujarat Parivartan Party was floated by former chief minister and BJP stalwart Keshubhai Patel ahead of December Assembly polls. Citing a recent opinion poll predicting absolute majority for ruling BJP led by chief minister Narendra Modi, Zadafia alleged that these exercises are nothing but the "device to mislead people". GPP will held a people`s convention here on October 31 marking culmination of `Parivartan Yatra` embarked upon by its president Keshubhai Patel. "Parivartan Yatra, which was started on September 27, will conclude on October 31 after passing through all 26 districts of the state, 8 major cities and ending the journey of 6250 kms," he said. Zadafia said that Keshubhai addressed 87 public during the Yatra. GPP which had announced fielding of candidates on all 182 Assembly seats said "ability to win" will be the major criteria for its candidates. "Our criteria for the selection of our candidate will be ofcourse ability to win and quality of the candidate. We will see a candidate as people`s candidate not our party`s," Zadafia said, adding he was expecting that GPP will be alloted election symbol by this weekend. PTI