"PM Returning With Same Numbers Or Slightly Better": Prashant Kishor Exclusive

There is neither widespread anger against the incumbent BJP nor a clamour for a challenger, political strategist Prashant Kishor told NDTV today, predicting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lead the BJP to another victory in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. Mr Kishor, who now leads Jan Suraaj, said the BJP's tally in this election may hover around its 2019 score of 303 or better than it.

"I think Modi-led BJP is returning. They may get the same numbers as last election or do slightly better," he told NDTV's editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia.

"We should look at the fundamentals. If there is anger against the incumbent government and its leader, there is a possibility that regardless of whether there is an alternative, people may decide to vote them out. So far, we have not heard that there is widespread public anger against Modiji. There may be disappointment, unfulfilled aspirations, but we have not heard of widespread anger," he said.

The other fundamental issue, Mr Kishor said, is "a clamour for a challenger". "This is when people feel that if this person comes, our situation would improve. We have not heard anything like things will be better if Rahul Gandhi comes. His supporters may say that, but I am talking about a more widespread level. There is an absence of widespread anger against the incumbent or a clamour for somebody who is a challenger. So I don't think there would be a huge change in numbers," he said.