Kolkata: Union Minister of Power and senior BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar said on Wednesday Congress is spreading lies about BJP’s Lok Sabha performance and NDA has got a solid majority with 290 seats in 2024 compared to Congress-led UPA in 2004 and 2009. Khattar chalked out the strategy for 2026 Bengal polls, emphasized on people’s connect and door to door visits and urged the BJP workers to bring back the lost glory of Bengal.
“Congress has forgotten the past. In 2004 and 2009, the UPA government did not get a majority and they made a government with Third-Front help. It was a non-majoritarian government in 2004 and 2009. They (Congress) are happy for one reason in 2024-they have become a ‘recognized Opposition’ with 99 seats this time, unlike 2014 and 2019 when they received less than 55,” Khattar said. BJP is holding state-level extended review meetings across the country to analyze and assess its Lok Sabha seat losses.
While addressing the meeting in Bengal on Wednesday, Khattar said, “We must remember Congress is telling lies. There is one point to being happy. In 2019, Congress seats were 52. In 2014, Congress had 44 seats. In a bid to become a recognized Opposition, one should get at least 55. They are happy they received 99 seats out of 543 and are now a recognized Opposition. They are thinking they have come to power,” Khattar, who also holds Housing & Urban Affairs said.
Talking about the situation in Bengal’s political scenario, he told the leaders, “I have heard about political struggles in Bengal. Here, people shed blood and work, taking the risk of his lives. Many lives have been lost.”
“In Lok Sabha election, we have received less seats compared to the last election compared to 2019. However, mathematics can be calculated in different ways. Vote percentage in 2024 have increased compared to 2019,” he added. “These 12 seats from Bengal have contributed to make Narendra Modi Prime Minister for the third time. After 1962 after Jawaharlal Nehru, in 2024 Narendra Modi became PM for the third time.”
“There is a difference when Nehru became PM and now. It was a very easy scenario as Nehru automatically became PM in 1947. In 1952 when first election took place, no political party stood against them. Earlier Congress and Union government were synonymous. But now the definition has changed,” he remarked.
Talking about strategies on 2026 assembly polls, the senior leader said the BJP workers can strengthen and connect people with the movement. He emphasized on the need of door-to door connect with people and voters connect outreach. Wherever, we don’t have our workers-there is no need to create enmity. The fight is in the mind, not physical fight.”
BJP State President Sukanta Majumdar said, “Organization works only 25% in any vote. When we will come to power, people will say that our organization is strong.”
“Left Front or Trinamool government-they are following the same line of governance. Trinamool is associated with corruption, loot, extortion (tolabaazi) even from small shop owners,” Khattar said.
Talking about why Bengal regressed-he noted that the past governments have destroyed industrialization. “Employment opportunities should be increased. Vikshit country means Atmanirbhar Bharat. Bengal should focus more on this,” he said.
