Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence on Saturday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies would secure over 400 seats in the ongoing elections, citing widespread support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership across demographics. In an interview, Shah highlighted the trust voters have placed in Modi, asserting that even supporters of other parties believe he will return for a third term as Prime Minister.
Shah projected that the BJP would retain most of its current seats and make gains in previously less-penetrated areas. He anticipated significant success in West Bengal and Odisha, predicting 24 to 30 seats in West Bengal and a victory in Odisha’s assembly elections along with over 17 Lok Sabha seats out of 21. Additionally, he claimed that the BJP would have the most seats across South India.
Addressing concerns about lower voter turnout, Shah attributed it to opposition voters’ disillusionment, believing the outcome is already in Modi’s favor. He emphasized the importance of voting for democracy and noted that areas with historically high voter turnout, such as West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, saw some decline, possibly due to Congress support.
Shah dismissed the notion that the election was a referendum solely on Modi, stating that both sides had settled on their prime ministerial candidates. He emphasized the BJP’s focus on contesting under Modi’s leadership, confident that he would secure a third term.
Regarding issues like inflation and unemployment, Shah stated that while they were raised in previous elections, they did not affect the BJP’s prospects due to voters recognizing the government’s efforts in job creation.
Responding to allegations of preferential treatment by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) towards opposition leaders who join the BJP, Shah clarified that once charge sheets are filed, the agency’s authority ends, and the matter is left to the courts for further action. He refuted claims of selective targeting, asserting that legal proceedings would proceed as scheduled.
