"Trends encouraging for INDIA alliance, BJP will drop below majority mark": Shashi Tharoor

Patna: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday claimed that the "trends are extremely encouraging" for the opposition INDIA alliance across the country after the fifth phase of polling for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and said the BJP will "drop a long way below the majority mark".
"I think we are not going to mention the numbers. But I will say the trends we are seeing are extremely encouraging for the INDIA alliance," Shashi Tharoor told ANI.
"This is not in one region of the country but everywhere. We are seeing noticeable enthusiasm for our candidates and a noticeable lack of enthusiasm for the BJP. In many cases, in the BJP's strongholds, there has been a perceptible drop in turnout. And I will say that though we are not going to come up with numbers, it is becoming increasingly clear to us that the trend is heading in a certain direction," Tharoor added.
He also expressed confidence that there would be a change in government at the Centre on the day of the counting, June 4.
"And on the fourth of June, there is going to be a change of government in Delhi. The government at the moment, the BJP, has a majority of 303 in the Lok Sabha. It is manifestly clear that they are going to drop a long way below the majority mark. And almost certainly, it will become clear that they are dropping to a point where even their existing alliance will not be enough to help them to get to majority," he said.
The first five phases of polling were held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20.
The next two rounds of voting will be held on May 25 and June 1.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases, in a six-week marathon running from April 19 to June 1.
The counting and results will be announced on June 4.