If BJP crosses 400-mark in LS polls, those who failed to lead INDIA bloc will be responsible: Azad
Jammu, Feb 10: In a veiled attack on the Congress, DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday said if the BJP achieves its target of more than 400 seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the party which failed to lead the opposition INDIA block would be responsible for it.
The former Congress leader also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conferring Bharat Ratna on his predecessors P V Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh and said they deserved the honours for their outstanding contribution for the country.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a public meeting at Garkhal in Pragwal near the International Border on the outskirts of Jammu, Azad said, "I am not an astrologer who could tell whether they (BJP) will cross the 400-mark (in the Lok Sabha polls). If it happens, those who failed to take everyone along will be responsible. I feel they all have teamed up with them."
He was responding to a question about the possibility of the BJP crossing the 400 seat-mark in the upcoming elections and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah's concern over the health of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
"He (Omar) was a minister in the (A B Vajpayee-led) BJP government. He might have remembered his old loyalty," Azad said.
Azad, a former chief minister of J&K, said he is neither close to the Congress nor the BJP. "Let the Congress speak what they want. For me, if the BJP is doing anything wrong I am the first to criticize and likewise if Congress is doing anything right, I am giving credit to them."
Azad, who floated Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) in September 2022 after resigning from Congress, welcomed the decision of Prime Minister Modi to award Bharat Ratna to Rao and Singh.
"Rao brought Manmohan Singh as his Finance minister when I was Tourism minister in his cabinet. His liberalization policies revolutionized the economy to keep pace with the outside world which was moving ahead of us. I also advocated liberalization policy to end monopoly in air service," he said, adding that the liberalization policy introduced by the Rao government is being followed by the Modi government as well.
"Singh was the tallest farmer leader and we have not seen anyone among the farming community to come closer to his stature. Recognizing his contribution for the country will boost the morale of the farming community," he said.
Azad said he is thankful to the prime minister for acknowledging the work of the two leaders in the interest of the nation. "If any work was done for the benefit of the country, it should be appreciated and if the present government is doing this, we should appreciate it."
On the prevailing situation in Pakistan, the DPAP leader said the free and fair elections in neighbouring countries are a far cry due to the interference of the Army in the electoral process.
"Since the formation of Pakistan, we (India) have had differences with it and Pakistan is responsible for the tension between the two countries. Immediately after independence, Pakistan launched an attack and separated our part which is known as Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Our brothers there are not happy," he said.
He said while India got democracy and saw a change of Prime Ministers through electoral exercise, they got dictatorship and the army is running the governments there. The public representatives are living at the mercy of the Army which decides who wins or loses.
"We are blessed that our army or anyone else is not interfering in our elections and that is democracy. We pray that such an atmosphere prevails there as well for the benefit of the public," he said.
On Parliament passing the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, adding four communities -- Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe, and Pahari Ethnic Group -- to the list of Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir, Azad said it was a longstanding demand of the people and "we have always supported them on the condition that the reservation enjoyed by Gujjars and Bakerwals remains untouched."
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Vartha Bharati–Sankalp predictions align closely with Karnataka bypoll results
Bengaluru: The Vartha Bharati–Sankalp election analysis has shown a high level of accuracy in predicting the outcome of the recent Karnataka Assembly by-elections held in May 2026, correctly calling winners in both constituencies and closely estimating vote share trends.
The by-elections were held in Bagalkot and Davanagere South, drawing significant political attention as both seats were seen as key tests for the ruling Congress and opposition BJP.
According to the analysis, Vartha Bharati–Sankalp had made three major projections ahead of the results the winning party, vote share percentages, and margin of victory.
In both constituencies, the platform accurately predicted that the Congress would emerge victorious. The outcome matched the projections, with Congress candidates winning in Bagalkot and Davanagere South.
In terms of vote share, the predictions were largely in line with the final results. In Bagalkot, the BJP’s vote share was forecast in the range of 40 to 46 per cent, while the actual figure stood at 42.9 per cent. The Congress vote share, however, exceeded expectations, with the party securing 55.4 per cent against a projected range of 43 to 48 per cent.
The margin of victory in Bagalkot turned out to be significantly higher than anticipated. While the projection had placed the margin between 2,000 and 3,500 votes, the final margin was around 22,332 votes.
In Davanagere South, the predictions also remained largely accurate. The Congress vote share was projected between 43 and 51 per cent, and the final figure stood at 43.9 per cent. The BJP was expected to secure between 42 and 50 per cent but ended with 40.3 per cent.
The analysis had also identified the role of SDPI as a potential spoiler in the constituency. While its vote share was estimated around 6 per cent, the party eventually secured around 12 per cent of the vote.
The margin of victory in Davanagere South was predicted to be between 1,500 and 2,600 votes. The actual margin was higher at around 5,708 votes, though the contest remained relatively close as anticipated.
Overall, the performance of Vartha Bharati–Sankalp stood out for correctly identifying the winning parties in both seats and maintaining close accuracy in vote share estimates, with only limited deviations in specific cases.
