Ahead of counting of votes for Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday, the opposition INDIA bloc held a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday and expressed confidence that they will win over 295 Lok Sabha seats. Briefing media after the meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said they discussed a range of issues including elections and challenges they might face ahead. He said the opposition leaders also deliberated on the precautions to be taken by the opposition parties on the counting day. He said they have also decided to participate in Lok Sabha exit poll debates on the TV channels this evening. Earlier, Congress had announced to boycott the exit poll debates.
After the meeting, AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the INDIA bloc is moving forward to form a strong government at the centre. Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that INDIA alliance will win the most of the Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said INDIA group is winning and the face of the Prime Minister will be decided later. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai said the alliance will get 30 to 35 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury also expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc will emerge victorious.
The meeting which took place at Mr. Kharge’s residence was to chalk out their future strategy. Senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, NCP (SCP) leader Sharad Pawar, senior JMM leader and Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, T R Balu of DMK, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and others attended the meeting. However, TMC and PDP skipped the meeting.
