Cong, allies have significant lead over NDA in first 3 phases

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Saturday claimed that his party and the allies have a significant lead over the BJP-led NDA at the end of the first three phases of Lok Sabha polls, wherein voting has taken place in 303 constituencies.

The former Union minister's remarks come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed in Mumbai that the Congress won't get even 50 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a press conference here, Chidambaram said, "I am prepared to stick my neck out and make a prediction on the results of the first three phases."
When asked about Modi's remarks about Congress not getting even 50 seats, Chidambaram said, "One cant stop anybody from dreaming. Modi dreams not only when he is asleep, but also when he is awake."
The Rajya Sabha member from Maharashtra said, "The narrative of security and pseudo-nationalism is a false narrative. Who secured the nation in three wars that were fought against Pakistan in 1947, 1965 and 1971. India is safe because it has a professional Army, Navy and Air Force, and not because one person boasts of a 56-inch chest."
Replying to a question on MNS chief Raj Thackeray's campaign against the BJP government, the Congress leader said, "He is expressing his views against BJP and Shiv Sena and telling voters not to support them. Why should I not welcome it?"
When asked about BJP's promise of abolishing Article 370, Chidambaram said, "The instrument of accession signed between Maharaja Hari Singh and (then) Home Minister Sardar Patel should be read carefully. Apart from Article 370, there are various special provisions for different states. Why single out only Article 370? There is a history of how India was united."