Lok Sabha Elections: 'BJP Will Be Limited To 150 Seats', Rahul Gandhi Says In Joint Presser With Akhilesh Yadav

The Congress is contesting only 17 seats in Uttar Pradesh in alliance with the SP, the two parties had also allied in 2017 during the assembly elections under the banner of UP ke Ladke.

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said there is a strong undercurrent in favour of the opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc in the Lok Sabha elections and the BJP will be limited to 150 seats.

"I do not do prediction of seats. 15-20 days ago I was thinking the BJP would win around 180 seats but now I think they will get 150 seats. We are getting reports from every state that we are improving. We have a very strong alliance in Uttar Pradesh and we will perform very well," Rahul Gandhi said during a joint press conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, as per ANI.

When questioned if he will contest from Amethi for the upcoming general elections, Rahul Gandhi remarked, "This is the BJP's question; very good. Whatever order I get, I will follow it. In our party, all these (selections of candidates) decisions are taken by the CEC."

Speaking on the party's manifesto, Rahul said, "In the last 10 years, PM Modi has reduced the system of employment generation by demonetisation, by implementing the wrong GST and by supporting big billionaires like Adani. The first task is to once again strengthen employment, and for that, we have given 23 ideas in our manifesto".

Rahul Gandhi mentioned about the party's innovative approach,  the right to apprenticeship. This  initiative promises apprenticeship opportunities for all graduates and diploma holders in Uttar Pradesh, accompanied by robust training programs. To empower youth further, the Congress commits to depositing Rs 1 lakh annually into their bank accounts, extending this privilege to millions across the state, as per ANI.

The sentiment expressed by the former Congress president found resonance in the words of the Samajwadi Party Chief, "INDIA alliance is the new hope in the elections and as Rahul ji said that there are many things in his manifesto by which poverty can be eradicated".

Reflecting on the collective commitment of political parties within the I.N.D.I.A alliance, he stressed the importance of ensuring remunerative prices for agricultural products through measures like Minimum Support Price (MSP). By elevating farmers' incomes,

"I want to say that the day the farmers of our country will become happy", Akhilesh said.

Congress-SP's Alliance 

In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is contesting only 17 seats in an alliance with the SP, the two parties had also allied in 2017 during the assembly elections under the banner of "UP ke Ladke". Despite the alliance's efforts, it failed to make a dent, as the BJP swept the election with an astonishing three-quarters majority, securing 325 seats.

The upcoming general elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases. In Ghaziabad constituency, a triangular battle is expected. The BJP, having nominated Atul Garg as its candidate following the withdrawal of Union Minister Gen (retd) VK Singh, faces stiff competition from the INDIA bloc represented by Congress leader Dolly Sharma and the Bahujan Samaj Party's Nand Kishore Pundir.

The decision by VK Singh to step aside adds an intriguing dimension to the race. The last general elections in 2019 saw the BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) defy the odds, clinching an impressive 64 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats, despite skepticism surrounding the SP-BSP 'mahagatbandhan.' The SP-BSP alliance managed to secure 15 seats.