Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, told a press conference on Tuesday that the BJP‑led National Democratic Alliance will clinch a massive majority in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. He added that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should brace himself for a crushing defeat, marking the party’s fourth straight loss in general polls. The announcement was made in New Delhi amid a backdrop of heated rivalry between the ruling coalition and the opposition.
Shah accused Congress of shielding infiltrators during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming the party’s tactics have long been exposed. He cited a recent rally where 8,000 supporters gathered within a 1.5‑kilometre radius, arguing such crowds do not represent the nation’s voice. The minister stressed that true grassroots support is measured in villages, fields, and remote hills.
The minister also extended thanks to voters in Tripura, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Assam, crediting them for backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA. “The people of this country stand with Narendra Modi, the BJP and the NDA,” he said, adding that the Lotus symbol has resonated across diverse regions. In Gujarat, a smallholder named Manoj Patel said he felt the party’s promise of rural development was tangible, a sentiment echoed by many in the state.
Shah’s remarks arrive as the BJP and Congress clash over the integrity of the SIR exercise and allegations of electoral manipulation. The last general election saw the BJP secure 282 seats, a margin that has been contested by opposition leaders. The dispute over voter rolls has intensified ahead of the next election cycle.
Congress spokesperson Ranjan Kumar dismissed Shah’s claims as political rhetoric, calling for a transparent audit of the electoral process. The next major development is a series of policy debates slated for early December, where both parties will outline their strategies for the 2029 campaign.