Modi Picks Up From Where Mamata Left, Says Will Pray Cong Gets 40 Seats

Is West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s jibe about Congress not in a position to cross 40 Lok Sabha seats in 2024 proving too costly for the Grand Old Party (GOP)? Upset with Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra passing through her state, the TMC supremo had challenged the Congress to take on the BJP in the Hindi heartland states. She was upset that the yatra had traversed through Bengal’s six districts and compared it to a “mere photo opportunity” for “migratory birds” as she felt its aim was only to disturb Muslim votes. Citing the challenge posed by an I.N.D.I.A partner like the TMC, PM Narendra Modi — speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Motion of Thanks to the President– decided to play on the number challenge for the Congress.  “A challenge has been posed before you from West Bengal that the Congress will not be able to cross 40 seats in Lok Sabha. I pray that you can secure 40,” he said. Modi also referred to Rahul as “yuvraj” saying that he was presented as a “start-up” but turned out to be a “non-starter”. Indulging in some banter with LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, Modi wondered how he had managed to give a long speech in the House.”Then, I realised that the two commandos who are usually here were not present. Kharge ji, after realising there were no umpires or commandos, kept hitting 4s and 6s,” he said referring to the absence of Rahul and Jairam Ramesh in Delhi. Attacking the Congress for being outdated, Modi felt it had also outsourced its work.