In the parliamentary discourse, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delineated the electoral ambitions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with a staggering projection of over 370 seats, while relegating the Congress to a meager tally of less than 40. The political chessboard witnessed strategic overtures from the BJP, coaxing former allies like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Shiromani Akali Dal, and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) to “return home,” following the successful reintegration of Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The overarching goal is lucid – obliterate the relevance of the Congress in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The atmosphere within the opposition echelons appears subdued, with many seeming resigned to their impending fate. While KC Venugopal, a senior Congress leader, asserted that Modi’s confidence is misplaced and forewarned a déjà vu of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s fate post the ‘Shining India’ campaign in 2004, some Congress insiders privately concede the ominous signs.
Confidential discussions among high-ranking Congress members hint at a projected tally of around 60 seats for the Congress, juxtaposed against the BJP’s anticipated dominance with approximately 320 seats, as divulged by two senior Congress leaders to News18 earlier this week.
The BJP, undeterred, actively courts the return of leaders like Nitish Kumar, recognizing the potential to undercut Congress in 2024. Insider sources reveal that Home Minister Amit Shah advocated for Nitish Kumar’s reintegration into the NDA, citing the Bihar Chief Minister’s substantial support base among Dalits and Mahadalits, coupled with political relevance for the next 3-4 years – a dynamic that could significantly bolster the BJP in Bihar.
Shah drew a parallel with Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s late-life conversion to Buddhism, underscoring the potential benefits. In 2019, the BJP, in collaboration with Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party, secured an impressive 39 out of 40 seats in Bihar.
The BJP’s negotiations with the TDP in Andhra Pradesh and the Akali Dal in Punjab follow a similar strategic narrative. These erstwhile allies, if realigned, could substantially enhance the BJP’s prospects in both states. The BJP eyes a collaboration with the TDP for at least six seats in Andhra Pradesh, foreseeing a shift in voter sentiment against Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy due to mounting anti-incumbency.
In Punjab, the BJP’s electoral chances seem minimal without a partnership with the Akali Dal, considering the current stronghold of the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state. The BJP managed to secure only two seats here in 2019.
A senior BJP minister intimated that these maneuvers serve not only as strategic electoral moves but also as a psychological blow to the opposition camp. The narrative being disseminated suggests that while the NDA family is expanding, the opposing INDIA bloc is witnessing fragmentation.
Congress leader Rajeev Shukla contends that Modi’s focus on the grand old party in his parliamentary speeches betrays a palpable fear of the Congress. Shukla asserts, “The fear is real in the PM’s mind – of losing to us.”
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju dismisses the Congress as a waning force, emphasizing that the people have rejected Rahul Gandhi, deeming him a perpetual non-contributor. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar unequivocally declares that a Modi 3.0 government is not just a possibility but a certainty, resonating with a consensus across the nation.