Who will win 2024 polls? INDIA, NDA debate

Mumbai; At the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2023, political leaders from the INDIA bloc and the NDA put forth their respective points as to why they would win the general elections in 2024. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale, BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia and Congress leader Supriya Shrinate were part of the panel on Day 2 of the conclave.

BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “earned” a third term. “In past one month, Indians felt proud over successful organisation of G20 Summit, over success of Chandrayaan-3, over highest number of medals earned by India sportspersons. Narendra Modi is the tallest leader in world right now," Gaurav Bhatia said.

To this, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate asked, “Where is the contribution of PM Modi in all this (achievements cited by Gaurav Bhatia)?.”

India's G20 presidency was rotational, Chandrayaan-3 success was due to the scientists and medals have been earned by Indian sportspersons, said Supriya Shrinate.

She further doubled down on charges of “political vendetta” levelled against BJP-led government, saying, “The Enforcement Directorate has seen four fold increase in cases. You see, as Opposition leader join the BJP, all the cases will cease to exist against them.”

Rahul Shewale, leader of Eknath Shinde-led Sena, disagreed. "We all who joined the NDA, we were old partners with the BJP. Those who have joined don't have CBI or ED cases against them. We follow Balasaheb' Hindutva ideology and joined the NDA. The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance had got a clear mandate in 2019,” he said.

Uddhav Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi retorted, “Do not use Balasheb's name to justify your backstabbing. When the (MVA) alliance was happening in 2019, why did they not raise an objection?”

“They are going to see resounding defeat in 2024,” Priyanka Chaturvedi said.

Gaurav Bhatia attacked the opposition bloc saying, “The difference between INDIA and NDA is that NDA has clarity on leadership. As of today, the INDIA bloc doesn't have a convenor, they don't have a PM face, their logo is not there, there’s nothing on seat-sharing and no agenda for the people of the country."

"Ghamandiya is like a jalopy without an engine," Bhatia said.

To this, Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “The amount of anger coming from BJP, the name calling, it is evident they are rattled.”

She argued that the INDIA bloc would register a decisive victory in the 2024 polls, saying, “Enough of mann ki baat....the janta is tired. We are doing jan ki baat. Women empowerment, youth employment, inflation, this is jan ki baat. We will win the 2024 elections.”

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate added, "2024 election is when PM Modi has to show his report card. On his report card, there is a sea of red...Unemployment, high prices, income inequality, Manipur is burning...People of the country will see through the BJP's tricks.”

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale said that the NDA would win in 2024 elections as it has a vision till 2047. “INDIA doesn't have any future plan,” he said.

BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia highlighted the achievements of PM Modi-led government, including the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and the abrogation of Article 370, saying that the NDA alliance will definitely return to power in 2024.