"Without Naidu and Nitish's support, Modi would not have been PM for the 3rd time": Jairam Ramesh

New Delhi [India], June 9 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh voiced strong criticism against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term, stating that he would not have become the PM if TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and JDU chief Nitish Kumar had not supported him in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
"Narendra Modi, in the 2024 elections has suffered a devastating personal loss, political defeat and a moral debacle. He is a one-third prime minister because, without Naidu and Nitish Kumar, he would not have been Prime Minister," Ramesh said.
He added, "He has become Prime Minister with 240 seats. Jawaharlal Nehru became Prime Minister three times in a row with a two-thirds majority and yet remained a Democrat. Narendra Modi is going to become the PM by not evening getting 270 on his own."
Ramesh also commented on the foreign dignitaries, who have been invited to attend the PM's swearing-in-ceremony, which is set to take place today, noting the absence of an invitation for Congress.
"Well, clearly the self-styled Vishwaguru, who has now become self-styled Vishwa Bandhu is giving priority to getting international leaders. We have not received any invitation so far," Ramesh said.
He added that even if invitation was extended, the Congress might still choose not to attend, citing the lack of legitimacy in Modi's leadership.
"Even if we get an invitation, we'll talk about it. What's the point of attending this swearing-in ceremony? Because there is no legitimacy to Narendra Modi," Ramesh remarked.
Furthermore, Ramesh expressed doubts about the attendance of other parties within the INDIA bloc, reiterating the Congress's position.
"I have seen the statements from some parties of INDIA bloc saying that they will not attend the ceremony. I have very serious doubts if the Congress will also attend, even if it is invited. I am teeling you the reason it's been a personal loss, its political defeat, moral debacle and here has been no legitimacy for Modi, whatsoever. He some how managed to get his allies. Even the BJP MP's has not elected him as a leader of the BJP Parliamentary party. He got himself anointed as head of the NDA alliance and then had a meeting of NDA MPs in the central hall," Ramesh said.
Ramesh did not hold back from further slamming the Modi's governance, accusing him of hypocrisy.
"There is no limit to hypocrisy as far as Modi is concerned. He subverted the constitution. His governance is one of subverting the constitution," said Ramesh.
Ramesh labeled Modi's government as illegitimate, alleging the use of coercive tactics to remain in power.
"It is an illegitimate government. It has used money power, institutions, media, fear, intimidation and threat. I don't see this as a democratically elected government frankly because the mandate of the people is not for Modi," Ramesh Concluded.
Narendra Modi is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term on June 9. Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi will take the oath at 7:15 PM.
This is an extraordinary event as Narendra Modi is the only leader after former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who has been elected for a third consecutive term after completing the full tenure of each previous term.
Alongside Narendra Modi, members of his council of ministers will also take their oath on the same day.
The BJP got 240 seats and NDA has secured 292 seats out of 543 Lok Sabha seats.
Congress fought the election as part of the INDIA bloc and the parties together were able to prevent BJP from getting a majority on its own in Lok Sabha. The Congress secured 99 seats. Samajwadi Party got 37 seats, while Trinamool Congress got 29. DMK managed to win 22 seats.