'Not A Bad Idea To Stay In Their Bunkers': BJP's Dig At Congress Over Decision To Skip LS Exit Poll TV Debates

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) IT cell chief Amit Malviya on Friday took a swipe at the Congress, suggesting that it might be wise for the party to “stay in their bunkers” on June 4 after the grand old party announced it would not participate in any Lok Sabha exit poll debates on television channels.

“Congress concedes Lok Sabha 2024 on the eve of Phase 7 polling. It may not be a bad idea for the Congress to stay in their bunkers on 4th Jun too, since results are likely to more brutal than what exit pollsters may have to say. Good luck!,” the BJP IT cell head said in a post on X.

Malviya’s comments came in response to Congress spokesperson and media department chairperson Pawan Khera’s statement that the party would abstain from participating in Lok Sabha exit poll debates on TV to refrain from engaging in speculation and slugfest for TRP.

“The results will be out on 4th June. Prior to that, we do not see any reason to indulge in speculation and slugfest for TRP,” Khera said in a statement shared on social media.

“The Indian National Congress will not participate in the debates on Exit Polls. The purpose of any debate should be to inform the people. We will happily partake in debates from 4th June onwards,” he added.

Congress Knows They’ll Lose: Amit Shah

Remarking on Congress’ decision to step away from the TV debates, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “They know they will be losing the lok sabha elections so that is why they are not taking part.”

“Rahul Gandhi is living in denial. He questions the Election Commission, courts, and EVMs. Instead of participating in Parliament, he leaves the House without discussion. They insult the agencies. I want to tell them that no one has benefitted from this ostrich-like approach. We have also lost elections in the past but have never boycotted the media,” Shah told news agency ANI.

‘Their Hypocrisy Is Not Lost On Anyone’: Nadda

BJP National President JP Nadda also commented, stating that Congress’s decision to stay away from the public debate is an unequivocal confirmation that the party has conceded the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“It is not surprising, since the Congress usually opts out when it doesn’t expect results to go in its favour, but has no compunction showing up, if it thinks it has even an outside chance. Their hypocrisy is not lost on anyone. Let no one in Phase 7 waste their vote on them,” Nadda said in a long statement posted on X.

Earlier today in an interview with NDTV, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed confidence that the Congress, along with other parties in the INDIA bloc, will prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from winning a third consecutive term.

“From the reports we have received, we are sure that we will stop BJP from coming back to power. We believe that Congress has already crossed the 100-seat mark and are hoping to win 128 seats,” Kharge stated.

During the interview, the senior leader also expressed his preference for Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister if the INDIA bloc alliance wins the Lok Sabha elections, stating that he represents the youth and the entire country.

The voting for the seventh and final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is set for June 1, while the counting and results will be out on June 4.

(With inputs from agencies)

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