Mr Modi hailed the NDA – whose members carried the BJP over the 272-seat majority mark after it won just 240 on its own – as the “most successful alliance” in the country.

SUMMARY : Prime Minister Modi’s statement criticizing the Indian National Congress for not reaching the 100-seat mark even after being in power for ten years highlights the BJP’s strategy of contrasting its own achievements with the perceived shortcomings of the opposition. By pointing out the Congress party’s inability to secure a significant number of seats despite a decade-long tenure, PM Modi aims to emphasize the BJP’s electoral success and governance capabilities. This kind of rhetoric is common in political discourse, especially during election campaigns, as parties seek to highlight their strengths and diminish the credibility of their opponents.

“Even after 10 years Congress could not touch the figure of 100 seats. If we combine the 2014, 2019, and 2024 elections… Congress did not even get as many seats as BJP got in this election. I can clearly see people of INDI Alliance (the BJP’s jibe at the INDIA bloc) were sinking slowly earlier… now they are going to sink at a faster pace…” the Prime Minister-designate proclaimed.

The Congress, which led the INDIA opposition bloc in this election, finished with 99 wins from the 328 seats it contested. That was the party’s best result in 15 years; it won 44 in 2014 and 52 in 2019.

The last time the party scored in the triple digits was in 2009 when it won 206 seats and propelled former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the United Progressive Alliance to a second term.

READ | Congress May Hit 100 In Lok Sabha With Rebel’s Return

Mr Modi’s jibe, though, may be premature, for the Congress could still hit the 100-mark if Vishal Patil, a party rebel who contested and won from Maharashtra’s Sangli, re-joins the party.

In a post on X this morning, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Welcoming the support of elected MP from Sangli, Shri Vishal Patil to the Congress party”.

In a lengthy speech that included multiple jabs and jibes at the Congress and the opposition, Mr Modi also made a pitch for governance by consensus and coalition politics. “Our alliance reflects the spirit of India and we are dedicated to upholding constitutional values. NDA is the most successful…”

“When I was speaking in this House in 2019 you chose me as the leader. Then I emphasised one thing… trust. Today, when you are giving me this role again, it means the bridge of trust between us is strong. This relationship is built on a strong foundation… and that is its biggest asset.”

The remarks are seen as acknowledgement of his reliance on allies – new territory after enjoying brute majorities in 2014 and 2019. The BJP needs the support of Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. Mr Naidu’s TDP and the JDU of Nitish Kumar are seen as kingmakers after the TDP and JDU won 28 seats; take those away and the NDA does not have the numbers to form the government.