Center for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) is one of the leading organisations for opinion research in India. Supported by Lokniti, CSDS conducts poll surveys and known for its scientific approach. Andhra Jyothy newspaper has published a survey on 1st April 2019 claiming that CSDS has predicted TDP win in the elections with 126-135 seats. The report has gone viral on the social media. The report was also telecasted on ABN Andhra Jyothy News Channel.
CSDS Rejoinder:
Lokniti – CSDS has condemned the survey citing it as fake and disowned the reports in social and print media. They have issued an official note which says as follows:
“Some social media platforms and print media have circulated findings of survey purported to be made by Lokniti-CSDS in Andhra Pradesh projecting vote shares and seat shares. Lokniti wishes to clarify that it has not done any survey in Andhra Pradesh, that it was not associated with any such survey, that it has not placed in public domain any reported findings and the news that is being circulated is mischievous and malafide.”
The fake survey has claimed following seats and vote percentages for various parties in AP:
TDP: 126-135 seats (18-22 MP seats)
YSRCP: 45-50 seats (3-5 MP seats)
Janasena: 2-5 seats
Andhra Jyothy Response:
The newspaper has published a note on the survey on 2nd April 2019. It has published the official statement issued by CSDS disowning any survey in Andhra Pradesh elections 2019. Polling in AP is scheduled on 11th April 2019 in a single phase.