INDIA bloc will select PM within 48 hours

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed confidence on Thursday that the INDIA bloc will select PM within 48 hours receive a decisive mandate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He suggested that it might take even less than 48 hours to select a prime minister, with the leader of the party winning the most seats in the alliance being the obvious choice for leadership.

During an interview with PTI, Ramesh predicted that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will secure well over the 272 seats required for a majority in the Lok Sabha. He also noted that if the INDIA alliance gains the people’s mandate, some parties currently with the NDA might join their coalition. The Congress high command will then decide on their inclusion.

When asked about potential post -poll alliances with NDA parties like JD(U) and TDP, Ramesh remarked on the political flexibility of leaders such as Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu. He highlighted that the INDIA alliance, which emphasizes honesty and humanity, might attract honest and humane parties from the NDA.

Ramesh stressed that an INDIA bloc government, if formed, will be authoritative but not authoritarian. He underscored their commitment to avoiding vendetta politics and ensuring a stable, transparent, and responsible administration.

Regarding the political landscape after six phases of voting, Ramesh avoided specific numbers but confidently predicted a clear and decisive majority for the INDIA bloc, drawing parallels to the Congress’s victory in 2004 despite the BJP’s “India Shining” campaign. He also anticipated significant gains for Congress in states like Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, and improvements in states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam.

Ramesh asserted that the BJP would not be able to improve its seat count in key states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. He confirmed that while he had no official information on a June 1 meeting of INDIA bloc partners, the leaders would indeed convene.

Reflecting on the 2004 elections, Ramesh mentioned that the process to choose Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister took just a few days. He believed that selecting a leader for the INDIA bloc would be even quicker this time, as the party with the most seats in the alliance would naturally lead.

Addressing potential challenges in reaching a consensus on the prime ministerial candidate among prominent leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, and Mamata Banerjee, Ramesh emphasized the alliance’s collective approach.

Ramesh expressed confidence in the Congress’s prospects, predicting “handsome gains” in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, and an improved standing in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. He suggested that the upcoming elections could mirror the 2004 situation for the party. Ramesh also mentioned that in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is expected to make gains, while the BJP would struggle to surpass its 2019 performance of 62 seats. He was skeptical of the BJP‘s chances in Bihar and West Bengal, asserting it would be impossible for them to improve their previous tallies of 39 and 18 seats, respectively.

Regarding the reported June 1 meeting of INDIA bloc partners, Ramesh stated he had no confirmed information but expected the leaders to convene. Reflecting on 2004, he noted that it took only a few days to name Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister, suggesting that this time, the process might be even quicker.

He emphasized that the party with the most seats within the alliance would likely lead the coalition in Parliament. When asked about potential consensus challenges for the Prime Minister position among leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, and Mamata Banerjee, Ramesh highlighted the coalition’s motto of collective leadership. He dismissed concerns about coalition stability, citing Manmohan Singh’s decade-long leadership of the UPA as evidence.

Ramesh assured that the coalition would provide a stable and responsible government, focusing on correcting economic policies. He criticized the BJP’s approach towards farmers and donors, promising changes, including the removal of exploitative tax schemes like the angel tax. Finally, Ramesh highlighted that an INDIA bloc government would prioritize economic reforms and fair policies, in contrast to the BJP’s approach, which he described as favoring donors over farmers.

Also Read: Indian Navy Set to Finalize Rafale M Fighter Jet Agreement with France