Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Haq on Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party will easily win majority in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. His remarks prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders to smile sarcastically and pound the table.

He said, “The BJP has got a mandate from the people. Earlier, we were fighting for over 300 seats for the saffron party in the upcoming polls. But now the BJP claims to win over 400 seats (abki baar, 400 paar)”, triggering cheers and laughter from the BJP leaders.

Responding to Haqq’s statement, Karnataka BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje said: “What he said is right. This will become a reality soon.”

India’s Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju also echoed Haq’s remarks, saying: “This is true. Even Rahul Gandhi spoke of the popularity of the BJP after the recent Assembly polls. “

Hague was speaking during a debate on the motion to thank the president for his speech in the Federal Chamber. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present.

Kharg raises Jharkhand issue

The political situation in Jharkhand was also discussed in detail in the Congress. He said anyone who disobeyed the government would be sent to jail.

He criticized Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan for not immediately summoning Champai Soren to form the government even though the JMM-led alliance was seeking to submit a letter of support. Hemant Soren resigned on January 31 and Champai had tried to press his claim. The Governor invited him to form the government on February 1st.

Haq sought to draw a parallel with the case of Nitish Kumar, who ditched the Union of India to join the NDA and quickly swore off the developments in Jharkhand. He said the alliance has the support of 47 MLAs and has already had signatures from 43 MLAs, but there was a delay in calling Champai Soren. The Congress president questioned Nitish as to why there was no delay in taking oath of office, while pointing out that he resigned in the morning and took oath in the evening. “Why didn’t this happen in Jharkhand?”

He also mentioned that more than 411 legislators have defected in the past 10 years, adding that the BJP-led Center has supported traitors time and time again and disrespected democracy. He said there would be no need to hold elections soon because there was no democracy in the country.