2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Revanth Reddy on Congress’s Chances in Telangana and Narendra Modi’s Guarantee

Mr Reddy became Chief Minister in December 2023 after the Congress defeated K Chandrashekar Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). During an informal interaction in Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru, Mr Reddy expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would lose the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, without specifying whether this was based on the party’s performance in the southern state’s assembly election.

Accusing the BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of working against the well-being and development of southern states, Mr Reddy asserted that there is no guarantee for Modi’s promises. He challenged the opposition BRS to secure even a single seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and predicted that the Congress would secure at least 14 seats, despite potential gains for the BJP from the loss of BRS votes.

Highlighting the inclusive nature of the Congress party in contrast to the BJP and RSS, Mr Reddy emphasized their history of appointing leaders from southern states to key cabinet and party positions. He criticized Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM for allegedly colluding with the BJP to polarize voters but acknowledged the party’s role in containing radicalization in cities like Hyderabad.

Mr Reddy also speculated that the BJP’s representation in the southern states would likely be restricted to a maximum of 20 seats out of 130, and anticipated a decrease in the party’s numbers in the northern states compared to 2019. The elections are scheduled to be held in seven phases, with vote counting set for June 4.