Kharge Labels Election Outcome as BJP's Moral Defeat

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described the Lok Sabha election results as a mandate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a defeat for the BJP. He emphasized the electorate's endorsement of democracy, citing the NDA alliance led by BJP and the opposition INDIA bloc's performance in the parliamentary seats.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday declared the Lok Sabha election outcome as a profound mandate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and characterized it as a political and moral defeat for the BJP.

Addressing a press conference, Kharge stated that the election results signify a victory for the people and democracy. The BJP-led NDA was leading in over 290 seats, whereas the opposition INDIA bloc was ahead in 232 parliamentary seats.

"This is the public's mandate and a triumph for democracy. We have consistently maintained that this battle is between the public and Modi. We respectfully accept this mandate," Kharge remarked at the AICC headquarters, flanked by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.

Kharge pointed out that voters did not grant a clear majority to any single party, especially the BJP, which campaigned on the premise of 'one person, one face'. "This marks their (BJP's) political and moral downfall," he added. He also accused the government machinery of hindering the opposition alliance's progress.

Kharge criticized Prime Minister Modi for spreading 'lies' about the Congress's manifesto, suggesting that the electorate saw through these falsehoods.