Lok Sabha election results 2024: Chandrababu and Nitish have to decide whether they want to ally with an autocrat, says Sanjay Raut

Sanjay Raut. File Pic

A day after Lok Sabha election results 2024, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and JDU's Nitish Kumar, whose support is key to the formation of the next government, have to decide whether they want to join hands with an autocrat, a remark apparently aimed at the BJP leadership, reported news agency PTI.

Talking to reporters, Raut said his party will not oppose if Congress leader Rahul Gandhi decides to lead the INDIA bloc government and be the prime ministerial face.

The INDIA bloc leaders will meet in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the further course of action. Raut also said PM Modi should accept that he has faced moral defeat as his party did not get a majority to form the government and that the Modi brand is now finished, reported PTI.

"Chandrababu and Nitish Kumar have to decide whether they want to go with an autocrat and work in a democratic system. I don't think they will go with an autocrat," Raut said, reported PTI.

"Modi ji is not forming a government for the third time," he claimed, reported PTI.

As per the Lok Sabha election results 2024, the BJP has bagged 240 seats, 32 short of an absolute majority.

With support from key allies N Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar's JD(U), which won 16 and 12 seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, respectively, and other alliance partners, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) crossed the halfway mark.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut, in a press conference, praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and conveyed the party's thoughts on the prospects of Rahul Gandhi's Prime Ministership, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, he also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for not reaching the majority in the Lok Sabha Elections of 2024.

In a press conference, on the questions of Rahul Gandhi's prospects of becoming Prime Minister, the Shiv Sena UBT leader said, "If Rahul Gandhi is ready to accept the leadership, why would we object? He has proven himself as a national leader for multiple times. He is one of the popular leaders. We all want him and love him. There is no objection and difference in the alliance."

He further said, "Since the commencement of the elections, the INDIA alliance has no dissonance over the post of Prime Minister. This alliance has always fought to save democracy and the constitution from the dictatorial governance of the BJP and people have voted for us. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah should accept their defeat."

Taking a jibe at the BJP, Raut stated, "Since yesterday, I am noticing that they are iterating 'Modi ki Sarkaar - NDA Ki Sarkaar', but where is it? They were talking about bringing 'Modi Ki Sarkaar'. BJP hadn't got any majority. They have around 235-240 seats only."

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)