Jammu, May 15: Raman Bhalla, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President who contested from the Jammu-Reasi parliamentary constituency, on Wednesday predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not get past the 200-seat mark in the ensuing parliamentary elections.
“There is a very strong nationwide sentiment against the BJP and a significant chunk of people consider it a threat to democracy,” Bhalla said in a statement issued here.
Bhalla further alleged that BJP’s “communal propaganda” was also one of the several causes behind their declining popularity. “By and large, people do not like these things. They see it as an attempt to divide the nation on communal lines which will weaken the country. Therefore, I feel that the BJP is not going to make a comeback,” he said.
He said if the opposition coalition forms the next government at the Centre, it would be the Congress which “will be its face”. “The mood of the people, after four phases of the election, and reports emerging from states going to polls in remaining three phases are indicating that the INDIA bloc will form the next government at the Centre with Rahul Gandhi most likely to become the Prime Minister.”
Speaking on the occasion, the JKPCC leader condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constant criticism of the Nehru-Gandhi family. “After the death of former PM Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, the Nehru-Gandhi family did not hold any official position. But Modi keeps targeting Rahul and his family,” he said, adding, “PM Modi has almost transformed India into a banana republic.”
He said the parliamentary democracy would be in danger if the BJP comes back to power at the Centre.”The opposition INDIA bloc is in a strong position after four phases of Lok Sabha polls and the people of the country are prepared to bid farewell to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
Bhalla also said that the 2024 election is to save the Constitution.
He added, “Congress always helped people realise that hatred, division and the denial of the dignity of minorities will not bring our children the jobs they need. We have instead championed economic ideas that support small businesses, spread the national wealth and create jobs,” he said.
