Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has cast doubts on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) claim of victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, stating that the party has not secured a majority on its own. Speaking to the media a day after the votes were counted, Raut emphasized the fragile nature of the potential NDA government.
Raut pointed out that the BJP has only won around 235-240 seats, falling short of the majority needed to form the government independently. “They were talking about bringing Modi ki Sarkar. Where is Modi Sarkar?” he questioned, suggesting that the BJP’s claims of dominance were overstated.
Highlighting the dependence on allies such as Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, Raut warned that the NDA government could be unstable. “If the NDA government is formed with the support of these two pillars – Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar – it can fall anytime,” he asserted. He also criticized the BJP, stating that the party has lost respect and that the “Modi brand is finished.”
Raut accused the BJP of using government agencies to secure their seats. “The seats BJP has won are all because of ED, CBI, and IT,” he alleged, referring to the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation, and Income Tax Department. Despite this, he acknowledged the BJP’s right to form the government if they can secure the necessary support. “If they are going to form the government, let them. We welcome it because it is a democracy. They have the right to form the government,” he conceded.
However, Raut also emphasized that the opposition, under the INDIA alliance, has been given a significant mandate by the people. “People have given us 250 seats and we have a mandate to form the government,” he stated, suggesting that the INDIA alliance is also in a position to claim leadership.
He further questioned the loyalty of BJP’s allies, hinting at possible defections. “If Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar decide that they do not want to support a dictator and stand with democracy, what will they do?” he asked, implying that these leaders might reconsider their support for the BJP.
