With the exception of Assam, the BJP will lose all the coming Assembly elections in four States and a Union Territory, including the fiercely contested polls in West Bengal, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar predicted on Sunday.
“While it is difficult to comment on the outcome at this juncture, the political trends nevertheless show that the BJP will retain power only in Assam and would be defeated in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. And this trend will also prove to be the harbinger of changing political currents in the country,” Mr. Pawar said in Baramati.
Attack on Mamata
He accused the BJP-led Centre of abusing power by attacking Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal.
“There, our sister [Ms. Banerjee] is alone fighting for the people of her State, withstanding the mounting political attacks of the BJP. But the people of Bengal are self-respecting and if anyone dares to attack their culture, the whole State will come together and unite against any force. Therefore, no matter what anyone says, it is Ms. Banerjee who will succeed in forming the next government under her leadership,” Mr. Pawar said, expressing confidence over the incumbent Chief Minister’s win in West Bengal.
Regarding Kerala, Mr. Pawar said there was no doubt that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) would reign supreme in the polls.
“The State is firmly in their [the Left’s] hands. The NCP, too, has joined the LDF. There is no doubt that we will get a clear majority in Kerala,” said the NCP chief.
He likewise expressed confidence of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) effortlessly sweeping Tamil Nadu.
“The people of Tamil Nadu overwhelmingly favour M.K. Stalin and the DMK. There is no doubt that he will take over the reins of the State following the election,” Mr. Pawar said, adding that it was only in Assam that the BJP’s position was comparatively better.
