Highlighting the performance of the INDIA block in Tamil Nadu, Congress leader P Chidambaram said the Congress-DMK has achieved a resounding victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
“In Tamil Nadu, the INDIA Congress – DMK alliance has swept the elections with 100/100. We thank the people of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry,” Chidambaram said during a press conference in Chennai on Friday.
Comparing the performance of the BJP with the INDIA bloc, Chidambaram emphasized that the INDIA bloc has performed better in the Lok Sabha polls, while the BJP has faced a huge reduction in its numbers compared to the real goal.
“The INDIA national alliance has won 234 constituencies. These are not just numbers, but on the other hand, the BJP is facing a huge reduction in its numbers from its actual target,” Chidambaram said at a press conference.
Chidambaram further criticized Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their ‘400 Paar’ claims during the elections.
“During the polls, Amit Shah and Modi said that they had crossed 300 and were on their target of reaching 400. Now it has been shown to what extent there are lies,” Chidambaram said.
Comparing Prime Minister Modi to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Chidambaram rejected any parallels, citing Nehru’s substantial electoral victories.
“Prime Minister Modi in his speech compared himself with Jawaharlal Nehru. Modi scored 282, 303, 240. While Jawaharlal Nehru scored 361, 374, 364. We simply reject the Prime Minister’s comparison.
He also launched a scathing attack on the BJP and the NDA, alleging manipulation of exit polls ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for June 9.
Chidambaram accused the BJP of orchestrating fake exit polls, claiming that media channels were instructed to project inflated numbers for the BJP-led NDA.
“The exit polls were prepared beforehand. All channels were asked to lie between 350 and 400 as figures of the BJP alliance. The BJP tried to mislead the people. Beyond everything, now the people have taught humility,” Chidambaram said during a press conference.
“Modi with Jawaharlal Nehru. The people of the nation will also reject such comparisons,” Chidambaram said.
Notably, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI) data for the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, the DMK won 22 of the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, while the BJP bagged none.
Seat position of DMK allies as per ECI data is Congress (9), Communist Party of India (2), Communist Party of India – Marxist (2), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (2) , Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Indian Union. Muslim League one each.
According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, far below the 303 it won in 2019. The Congress, on the other hand, recorded a sharp improvement, winning 99 seats. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 292 seats, the INDIA bloc crossed the 230 mark, posing tough competition and defying all predictions.
(With contributions from ANI)