Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, claimed on Sunday in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will secure victory on more than 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
During a rally organized by the Republican Party of India (RPI) in Kolkata, Athawale criticized the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) at a press conference, stating that fear of defeat is causing his supporters to abandon him.
Athawale also commended West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to contest the Lok Sabha elections as the sole candidate for the ruling Trinamool Congress. He humorously suggested that Mamata Banerjee could join the NDA, emphasizing that several leaders have switched alliances, including Nitish Kumar and RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary.
Expressing confidence in his party’s prospects, Athawale mentioned that the RPI might contest some seats in the next West Bengal Assembly elections, aiming to strengthen the party by including Dalits, Muslims, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and people from general categories.
Athawale predicted that the NDA would win at least 25 out of the 42 seats in West Bengal during the Lok Sabha elections and revealed that his party has sought two additional seats in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. He addressed a rally of RPI supporters later in the day.
