The Lok Sabha poll outcome is a mandate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and it is his “political and moral defeat”, the Congress said on Tuesday while announcing it will consult the INDIA bloc allies on whether to approach old partners JD(U) and TDP for government formation.Addressing a joint press conference at the Congress headquarters here along with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi said the INDIA bloc allies would meet on Wednesday and take a call on its future course of action.
Asked if the Congress and its allies will approach parties that have been with them in the past but are part of the NDA now in trying to form a government, he said, “We are going to have a meeting with our partners tomorrow. These questions will be raised and answered there.”
“We won’t say anything without seeking the opinion of our allies. Our alliance will decide tomorrow and whatever they decide we will act on that,” Rahul Gandhi said when prodded further.
The Lok Sabha poll results and trends showed the BJP was set to become the single-largest party but would fall short of the magic figure of 272. The INDIA bloc, on the other hand successfully put up a spirited fight with the Congress set to win 99 seats, close to double of its 2019 tally.
Kharge, when asked about the INDIA bloc’s possibility of government formation, said, “As long as we do not talk to alliance partners, and the new partners who may join, how can we say that? If I reveal all strategies here, Modi ji will become alert.”