The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Before the 2024 Lok Sabha election results were announced, poll strategist Prashant Kishor made bold predictions. Kishor, who has collaborated with several political parties in India, including Congress, suggested that Rahul Gandhi should take a break and emphasized the need for Congress to revamp its functioning. Kishor, a founder of the political outfit Jan Suraaj, confidently predicted that the BJP would secure over 300 seats, surpassing their 2019 tally of 303 seats.
In an interview with Business Today, Kishor asserted that in BJP’s third term, the party had a clear strategy to address issues like rural distress, unemployment, and growing inequality.
He anticipated unwavering support for the BJP from northern and western India. “I think Modi-led BJP is returning. They may get the same numbers as last election or do slightly better. Unless there is widespread anger or clamour for the rivals, I do not think a big change will be seen,” he told NDTV during an interview.
Kishor further stated, “According to my assessment, BJP is going to come back with the same or slightly better numbers. But in west and northern India, I don’t see it taking a material hit in terms of seats. I don’t foresee the BJP losing many seats here. It has got adequate cover from east and southern India,” as quoted by The Print.
He also mentioned, “Over the past few years, BJP has been trying hard to increase their vote share in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. I don’t see a risk of BJP losing the election in the absence of a strong opposition.”
Results on June 4
Contrary to Prashant Kishor’s predictions, the BJP managed to secure only 240 seats, while the Congress improved its tally from 52 to 99. The anticipated support for BJP in the Hindi heartland did not materialize, as Uttar Pradesh favored the Samajwadi Party. The BJP won only 33 seats in Uttar Pradesh, a significant drop from the 62 seats they held in the previous polls. Notably, the party lost the Faizabad parliamentary seat in the Ayodhya district.