How many seats will BJP win in LS polls? Check Rahul Gandhi's prediction

During a joint press conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted that there is a strong wave in favor of the opposition INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha elections, predicting that the BJP will be limited to 150 seats.

"I refrain from making seat predictions. Around 15-20 days ago, I anticipated the BJP winning approximately 180 seats, but now I believe they will secure only 150 seats. Reports from every state indicate our improvement. With a robust alliance in Uttar Pradesh, we are poised for significant performance," stated the former Congress president.

When questioned about his potential candidacy for the general elections from Amethi or Raebareli, Gandhi responded, "That's a question for the BJP; very well. I will abide by any directive I receive. In our party, decisions regarding candidate selection are made by the CEC."

Expounding on the party's manifesto, Gandhi emphasized, "Over the last 10 years, PM Modi has undermined employment generation through demonetization, flawed GST implementation, and favoring billionaires like Adani. Our primary objective is to reinvigorate employment. To achieve this, our manifesto outlines 23 ideas, including the revolutionary right to apprenticeship for all graduates and diploma holders in Uttar Pradesh. We pledge to provide training and deposit Rs 1 lakh annually into the bank accounts of youth. Additionally, we will enact legislation to prevent paper leaks."

A similar sentiment was echoed by the Samajwadi Party Chief, who hailed the INDIA alliance as a beacon of hope for the people.

"The INDIA alliance represents a new hope in these elections. Rahul ji's manifesto contains several measures to alleviate poverty. I believe that when our farmers are content, receive fair prices for their produce, and when MSP is ensured, poverty will diminish," remarked the Samajwadi party Chief.

The Congress is contesting only 17 seats in Uttar Pradesh in alliance with the SP, a partnership reminiscent of their collaboration in the 2017 assembly elections under the banner of "UP ke Ladke." However, that alliance failed to make a significant impact, with the BJP securing an overwhelming majority of 325 seats.

Voting in Uttar Pradesh will be conducted in seven phases.

The Ghaziabad constituency will witness a triangular contest, with the BJP fielding Atul Garg as its candidate after Gen (retd) VK Singh withdrew.

Garg will compete against the INDIA bloc candidate and Congress leader Dolly Sharma, with the Bahujan Samaj Party fielding Nand Kishore Pundir.

In the 2019 general elections, contrary to expectations, the BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) secured victory in 64 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, while the SP-BSP alliance managed to win 15 seats.