'You'll be surprised'; Prasant Kishor predicts big win for BJP in south and east in upcoming Lok Sabha elections

NEW DELHI: Political strategist Prashant Kishor has predicted a significant breakthrough for the BJP in the southern and eastern states in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He anticipates the BJP will gain more seats in these regions and expects an increase in the party's vote share in Tamil Nadu. Kishor made these assertions during a special interview with the news agency PTI.

"I said this a year ago. BJP can increase its vote share in Tamil Nadu. BJP can emerge as the first or second party in Telangana. This would be a significant achievement for them. It's undeniable that they will lead in Odisha. BJP is likely to become the predominant party in West Bengal as well. You'll be surprised," remarked Prashant Kishor. He also forecasted that the BJP would secure over 370 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Kishor further suggested that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy of the YSR Congress Party might face challenges in making a comeback, citing several obstacles in his path. BJP's dominance in the Hindi heartland would persist. Kishor speculated that the BJP could maintain its stronghold in the western region but noted that opposition parties, including the Congress, might lose approximately 100 seats in this area.

During the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP struggled to secure even 50 seats in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar. The party obtained 29 seats in 2014 and 47 seats in 2019 across these states. However, Prashant Kishor hinted at a significant breakthrough for the BJP in the upcoming elections.