New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) confident predictions of winning the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and securing a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a foregone conclusion. Drawing parallels with the 2004 general elections, Ramesh expressed confidence that history would repeat itself, emphasizing that the Opposition bloc would provide strong competition to the ruling party. Using a playful metaphor, he remarked, “Tiger zinda hai.”
Despite being a crucial ally in the significant Opposition bloc, INDIA, the Congress has initiated its second phase of strengthening efforts with the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,' set to commence from Manipur. Ramesh, addressing the media, emphasized the importance of a strong Congress for a robust opposition.
“A weak Congress cannot ensure a strong opposition. Only a strong Congress can ensure a strong opposition. This 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' is to strengthen the Congress,” he stated.
Ramesh appears confident in the alliance of 28 Opposition parties that joined forces last year to challenge the BJP in the upcoming national elections. He drew a parallel between the Congress's loss in three states in the 2003 polls and its subsequent revival at the Centre in 2004. Similarly, he noted the party's setback in the previous year, expressing optimism for 2024.
“In 2003, we lost Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. People wrote the Congress off, but in 2004, the Congress formed the government. India was shining at that time,” Ramesh recalled, adding, “History will repeat itself.”
In 2004, the Congress, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), secured victory at the Centre, defeating the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government despite the latter's high-profile 'shining India' campaign.
Discussing election preparedness and the Yatra, Jairam Ramesh assured that the party's organization is in place, and Rahul Gandhi will actively participate in the campaign, despite his involvement in the Yatra.
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