Congress to lead govt in 2024: Mallikarjun Kharge amid Opposition unity talks

Kharge's remarks also sent a message to several Opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), who aspire to lead the opposition in 2024.

Amid questions over Opposition unity ahead the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has asserted that an alliance led by the Congress would come to power at the Centre next year.

"In 2024, an alliance Govt shall be formed in the Centre. Congress will lead that alliance," tweeted Mallikarjun Kharge.

His statement comes days ahead of the Congress's plenary session in Raipur where the party is likely to spell out its approach towards Opposition unity.

Echoing similar sentiment during a rally in poll-bound Nagaland, Kharge on Tuesday said the grand-old party was in talks with "every" other party to realise it.

"[Prime Minister Narendra] Modi has several times said, 'I am the only man who can face the country. No other people can touch me.' No democratic man says this. You are in a democracy, you should remember you are not an autocrat. You are not a dictator. You are elected by people and people will teach you a lesson," Kharge was quoted saying by ANI.

"In 2024, the alliance government will come to the centre, Congress will lead. We are talking with other parties because otherwise the democracy and constitution will go," Kharge said.

"Therefore, with every party now and then, we are calling, we are talking, we are sharing our views. The BJP will not get a majority. All other parties together, we will get the majority... let 100 Modis or Shah come," he said.

"Our people have given their lives to get freedom. Congress. Not you, BJP people. Tell me has any BJP leader been hanged for freedom, or fought for freedom? Has gone to jail? Instead, a man who brought freedom, Mahatma Gandhi, they killed him. And such people are talking patriotism?" he said.

Kharge's remarks also sent a message to several Opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), who aspire to lead the opposition in 2024.