2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Revanth Reddy questions Congress’s prospects in Telangana without Narendra Modi’s assurance.

Mr. Reddy assumed office as Chief Minister in December 2023, following the Congress party’s victory over K Chandrashekar Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). During an informal gathering in Bengaluru, he expressed confidence in the Congress’ potential to win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, stating, “Every medicine has an expiry date.”

However, he did not specify the basis for his confidence, whether it stemmed from the party’s recent success in the southern state assembly elections. Accusing the BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of neglecting the development and welfare of southern states, Mr. Reddy cautioned against relying on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promises, asserting, “There is no warranty for Modi’s guarantees.”

He also challenged the BRS to secure even a single seat in the Lok Sabha elections and projected that the Congress could still secure at least 14 seats, despite potential gains by the BJP from BRS votes. Highlighting the inclusive approach of the Congress party in contrast to the alleged discrimination by the BJP and RSS against southern states, Mr. Reddy emphasized the party’s history of appointing leaders from these states to key positions, even during its dominance in the Hindi heartland.

He also criticized Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM for purportedly colluding with the BJP to polarize voters during elections, while acknowledging the party’s role in containing radicalization in Hyderabad. Mr. Reddy predicted that the BJP would likely secure a maximum of 20 seats out of 130 in the southern states, and anticipated reduced numbers for the party in the northern states compared to its 2019 performance.

The ongoing elections are scheduled in seven phases, with the final vote count set for June 4th.