Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut cautioned the Congress about potential challenges in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, emphasizing the impact of individuals favoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the Gandhi family’s circle.
In his weekly column “Rokhthok” in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana,’ Raut expressed concerns and raised doubts about electronic voting machines (EVMs). He highlighted an instance during the counting of postal ballots in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress was reportedly leading in 199 seats. However, the electoral landscape changed when votes in the EVMs were tallied. The BJP emerged victorious in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, while the Congress secured a win in Telangana during the recent assembly polls held on December 3.
Raut cautioned that if there are individuals within the Gandhis’ circle aligning with politics favorable to Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah, the Congress could face heightened challenges in the 2024 elections. He specifically mentioned Kamal Nath, the Madhya Pradesh Congress chief who led the party’s campaign in the state.
While acknowledging Modi’s electoral success in three states, Raut argued that the belief that the Congress cannot defeat Modi is a myth. He pointed out the Congress’s victories over the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan in 2018. Despite the efforts of outgoing Chief Ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel, the Congress faced defeat in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh during the recent polls. Raut concluded by emphasizing the need for strategic considerations and unity within the Congress to navigate the challenges posed by the BJP in the upcoming elections.
