'Outgoing PM': Congress's Jairam Ramesh mocks PM Modi, claims INDIA bloc crossed 272 seats after 6th phase
New Delhi: As voting for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections concluded on Saturday, the Congress party asserted that the ruling BJP's prospects are "nearly determined," while the opposition INDIA bloc has "consistently gained momentum" since the first phase.
Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in charge of communications, reiterated the opposition's slogan 'south mein saaf, north mein half,' suggesting that the BJP is being eliminated in the south and is losing ground in other regions.
"After polling in Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, and now Delhi, we are seeing the incredible chemistry that has been built between coalition partners. The INDIA alliance has already crossed the halfway mark of 272 seats and is on course for a tally of over 350 seats in total," he claimed.
With six phases of the elections now concluded, voting for 486 seats is over. As the outgoing PM starts figuring out his retirement plans, here’s the round-up of the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections:
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 25, 2024
1. The BJP’s fate is all but sealed. It has become clear that they are…
He also claimed that the BJP was encountering challenges in campaigning in states like Haryana and Punjab, where their leaders were being "driven out of villages by residents," attributing this to widespread anger among farmers.
“The outgoing PM has extra time to plan his retirement, since the BJP’s campaign is ending early,” Ramesh said.
He went on to claim that there was “incredible chemistry” between coalition partners, and added that the INDIA bloc “has already crossed the halfway mark of 272 seats and is on course for a tally of over 350 seats in total.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party had previously asserted a similar claim of securing a majority in the Lok Sabha following the fourth phase of the general elections. Jairam Ramesh also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labeling him as "delusional" for suggesting that he was "sent by god."
In an interview with a TV channel, Modi said, “Until my mother was alive, I used to think I was born biologically. After her demise, when I look at my experiences, I am convinced that I was sent by God. This strength is not from my body. It has been given to me by God. That's why God also gave me the ability, strength, pure-heartedness, and inspiration to do this. I'm nothing but an instrument that God has sent.”
Mocking PM Modi’s statement, Ramesh said, "As the reality of defeat dawns on the outgoing Prime Minister, he has become increasingly delusional. He has now proclaimed that his birth was not biological, and that he has been sent by the Creator himself. Perhaps he fancies himself as a Godman in his next career."
"Even his acolytes have taken to the PM's latest re-branding - Puri candidate Sambit Patra proclaimed that even Lord Jagannath is a 'bhakt' of the outgoing PM. The voters of India will teach them both a lesson in humility," he added.
The Congress leader said the Lok Sabha 2024 election continued to centre around the Congress party's positive campaign.
"Our Nyay Patra and guarantees are the focus of the messaging of all parties. The slogan of 'Khata-Khat' has captured the imagination of the people, to the extent that even the outgoing PM has been forced to respond to it. The announcement of our final Guarantee - of doubling the allotment of free foodgrain for each individual under the National Food Security Act - has caught fire in North and East India," Ramesh said, according to the HT report.
"Every single ground report is very clear. 'Hawa badal rahi hai, Aandhi ban rahi hain'. The INDIA Janbandhan is set to sweep the NDA away. June 4th is coming!" Ramesh said.