"Would have been better if INDIA bloc to win 25-30 more seats": Priyank Kharge

New Delhi [India], June 5 : Congress leader and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said on Wednesday that he expected the INDIA bloc to win 25-30 seats more in the Lok Sabha elections, adding that an alliance bloc meeting will be held today in the national capital to discuss the election results and strategy of the parties.
Speaking to ANI, Kharge said, "It would have been better for the INDI alliance if we had won 25-30 seats more. All senior leaders of the alliance will meet this evening and discuss the election results. I believe it could have been better if we got 5-6 seats more in Karnataka and 1-2 seats more in Maharashtra."
"The mandate is out, and the people have given their opinion. We will discuss the shortcomings in a cabinet meeting headed by the Karnataka Chief Minister later," he added.
Earlier today, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that a meeting of the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance bloc will be held this evening in the national capital.
"The INDIA Janbandhan leaders will be meeting today at 6 PM at 10, Rajaji Marg to discuss the election results and strategy thereafter," Kharge posted on X.
The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday.
According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong improvement, winning 99 seats.
While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 292 seats, the INDIA bloc crossed the 230 mark, posing stiff competition and defying all predictions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has secured a third term, but the BJP will need the support of other parties in his coalition, primarily -- JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu.
The INDIA bloc is trying to woo some of BJP allies to pull the game in its favour.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Congress President said that the party will hold discussions with its allies as well as "new partners."
"Till we don't talk to our alliance partners and the new partners who are going to ally with them, we will talk to them as well and see how we can make a majority. If I talk about all the strategies here, Modiji will become clever," the Congress president said at a press conference.
"I thank our INDIA bloc partners. Everyone campaigned for each other and worked. Our fight hasn't reached its conclusion, we have to keep fighting for people's rights, the protection of the Constitution and democracy, the nation's development, and safety on the border," Kharge added.