Modi will not return as PM after 2024 polls, says Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi said the BJP will suffer its biggest loss of seats from Uttar Pradesh because the people of the State have decided to vote in favour of the INDIA alliance

Samajwadi party national president and lok sabha canadidate from Kannuaj constituency Akhilesh Yadav along with former congress president Rahul Gandhi during election rally, in Kannauj , Uttar Pradesh on Friday on May 10, 2024. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said Narendra Modi will not become the Prime Minister again after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“Take it in writing, Narendra Modi will not become the Prime Minister of India,” said Mr. Gandhi, addressing a joint rally of the INDIA bloc in support of Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav in Kannauj.

Mr. Gandhi said the BJP will suffer its biggest loss of seats from Uttar Pradesh because the people of the State have decided to vote in favour of the Opposition alliance. “An INDIA bloc storm is arriving in U.P., people have made up their mind to bring change and unseat the BJP. The ruling party will suffer the biggest setback here (U.P.),” he said.

Mr. Gandhi said the country is witnessing an ideological battle between the INDIA bloc and the BJP-RSS. “On one hand you have the INDIA bloc, aiming to save the democratic and constitutional values of our republic, while on the other side, the BJP-RSS is trying to dismantle its foundational ideas,” said Mr. Gandhi, addressing a joint rally with Mr. Yadav.

Mr. Gandhi said that the Modi government is favouring big capitalists by waiving off loans. “Modi government waived off loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore of 22 individuals. We (INDIA alliance) have decided that if he (Modi) can make 22 arabpatis (billionaires), we will make crores of lakhpatis (millionaires),” said the Congress leader.

Mr. Gandhi said once the Opposition formed the government, the caste census will be initiated. “When the government comes, we will start the work of caste census. Through caste census, all the people of India will know how many you are and what is your participation in India, everything will be revealed,” he said.

Mr. Yadav described the joint rally a manifestation of historic unity of the INDIA bloc which will result in defeat of the BJP. “There is panic in the BJP camp. With the coming together of the SP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and other allies and the internal turmoil within the BJP, all the calculations of the BJP have gone haywire. The results on June 4 will be historic,” he said.

Speaking at a public event in Lucknow, Mr. Gandhi, who is contesting from Rae Bareli, invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a debate. “I am ready to debate with Narendra Modi anywhere, but he will not debate with me,” he said.

Published - May 10, 2024 03:22 pm IST