Revanth: Rahul Will Trounce Modi

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy predicted that the BJP would not secure more than 150 seats in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections in 2029 and expressed the confidence that under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, the Congress would decisively defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi and secure victory.

He was speaking at the AICC Annual Legal Conclave in Delhi on Saturday and spoke on the topic ‘Constitutional Challenges — Perspectives and Pathways.

Revanth Reddy said that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had suggested two months ago that individuals over the age of 75 should step down from active political roles. Despite this, Modi, in his mid-70s and who has been in power since 2001 first as Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as Prime Minister, remained firmly in the position.

He pointed out that the BJP had forced leaders like L.K. Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi to retire under the age rule and asked why Modi had failed to follow Bhagwat’s advice, a move that he claimed undermined the integrity of the RSS’s internal rules.

Speaking about leadership dynamics within the Congress, Revanth Reddy noted that Rahul Gandhi had declined significant political opportunities in the past for the greater good of the country.

“In 2004, when Congress led UPA goverment came to power at the Centre, Rahul could have become a Union minister and in 2009 when UPA-2 government was formed, Rahul could have become Prime Minister, but he chose to make personal sacrifices.”

Revanth Reddy reiterated that such sacrifices were not unusual within the Congress, which had championed the cause of the marginalised communities. For over 25 years, Rahul Gandhi has continued to fight for the upliftment of Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and the poor, Revanth stated.

The Chief Minister recalled that Sonia Gandhi had opted not to assume the Prime Minister’s post after UPA-1 came to power in 2004. Instead, she opted to support Dr Manmohan Singh, a decision reflecting her commitment to the nation’s unity. Similarly, Sonia Gandhi also declined the offer to become the President, paving the way for Pranab Mukherjee to assume the role, he said.

Revanth Reddy criticised BJP’s internal contradictions by referring to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s recent remark suggesting that without Modi, the BJP would be unable to secure even 150 seats in the Lok Sabha. He said that under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, the Congress would secure a decisive victory, while the BJP’s tally would fall well below 150 seats, in 2029.

Highlighting the success of Telangana’s caste census, the Chief Minister explained that the state’s commitment to social justice for backward communities had become a cornerstone of the Congress’s agenda. He praised Congress for fulfilling its promises made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, pointing to the party’s commitment to provide 42 per cent reservations for backward classes in education, employment and political representation.

Revanth Reddy also reminded the BJP that the Congress had a long history, even predating the country’s independence. He outlined the party's pivotal role in the freedom struggle and stressed the sacrifices of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, who gave their lives for the nation’s sovereignty and security.

Revanth Reddy criticised the BJP for questioning Congress’s contribution to the nation, stating that the legacies of the Gandhi family spoke volumes about the party’s dedication to the country’s welfare.

The CM called upon Congress leaders and activists across the country to unite under Rahul Gandhi's leadership and protect India’s Constitution by defeating Modi and his government in the 2024 elections.