Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was formed mistakenly and predicts its imminent downfall. Kharge mentioned, “People have elected Modi’s minority government; it may fall anytime.”
Previous Apprehensions
Kharge has previously expressed similar concerns. After the Lok Sabha election results, he mentioned that the INDIA bloc would take action at the appropriate time.
Political Context
In the recent elections, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the Lok Sabha but fell short of the majority mark. It relies on allies like N Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan, and Eknath Shinde to surpass the majority mark (272) in the Lok Sabha. This marks Narendra Modi’s first time leading a coalition government.
Reactions from JD(U) Leader KC Tyagi
JD(U) leader KC Tyagi criticized Mallikarjun Kharge for his statements, accusing him of attempting to create an atmosphere of anarchy. Tyagi condemned Kharge’s remarks, stating, “(Congress leader) Mallikarjun Kharge is creating an environment of anarchy and disbelief by giving offensive statements. I condemn it.”
Opposition and BJP Performance
The Congress won 99 Lok Sabha seats, a significant increase from the 52 seats it won in the 2019 general elections. The Opposition’s INDIA bloc also performed well, winning 234 Lok Sabha seats. The exit polls had predicted a BJP landslide victory and a tough time for the Congress.
Coalition Dynamics
Due to the narrow gap between alliances, the INDIA bloc reportedly reached out to Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu for support, but both leaders ultimately backed Narendra Modi’s government. JD(U) and TDP saw increased representation in Modi’s Cabinet, though key portfolios went to BJP leaders.