In a significant announcement today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are a battle of ideologies, a fight to safeguard the constitution.
Gandhi asserted that the decision regarding the Prime Ministerial candidate for the INDIA Alliance would be made collectively by all constituent parties post-elections. He made these remarks during a press conference held in Delhi where the Congress party’s manifesto for the upcoming elections was unveiled.
“The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are a battle of ideologies,” Gandhi emphasized, pointing out that the INDIA Alliance comprises 27 parties, all of which will deliberate on this matter and come to a decision. “Therefore, we are currently focusing on the elections and setting aside all other discussions,” he added.
It’s worth noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party are completing their second term in office, and opposition parties have united to prevent his third term. During a meeting of the INDIA Alliance last December, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had suggested the name of Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. However, Kharge had then stated that it’s crucial for the INDIA Alliance to first secure a majority to enable him to contend for the Prime Minister’s post.
Gandhi also claimed that the media’s speculations regarding the elections would differ from the actual results, and the competition would be much closer than portrayed. He referenced the 2004 elections, where the slogan “India Shining” failed to materialize as anticipated.
The first phase of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is scheduled for April 19, with a total of seven phases of polling. The BJP has claimed victory on 400 seats in alliance this time, while the Congress has questioned their assertion.
