Classic fear-mongering, should stop selling panic: BJP slams Rahul Gandhi over ‘economic tsunami’ remark
Despite facing multiple black swan events, India has continued to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy, Amit Malviya said.
A war of words broke out between the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya, with both sides trading sharp claims over voter turnout ahead of the next phase of polling.
In a sharp attack, the BJP leader said, “Come 5th May, you will find yourself out of a job,” and predicted that the April 29 phase would bring a “saffron tsunami.”
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The exchange began after Derek accused the BJP of spreading “fake narratives” around Phase 1 polling data. In a post on X, he cited figures comparing the 2021 elections and the current cycle, arguing that while the turnout percentage in 2026 was higher, the total number of votes cast had marginally declined.
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According to Derek, the total electorate in 2021 stood at 3.67 crore, with 84% turnout translating to 3.10 crore votes. In 2026, following a revision exercise, the electorate reduced to 3.33 crore, with a turnout of 92.7%, resulting in 3.09 crore votes cast. He said this meant that despite higher turnout, the total votes had decreased by 83,674, calling the difference “negligible” and attributing the higher percentage turnout to a reduced voter base.
Amit,
It’s so easy to EXPOSE you. And your attempt to create fake narratives.
Here is hard data to bust BJP propaganda on Phase 1: total votes cast in 2026 have decreased compared to 2021👉 First, let us look at data from 2021 elections:
* Total electors: 3.67 crores
*…— Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) April 24, 2026
Responding sharply, Malviya rejected the claims and said the total number of electors in Phase 1 was 3.6 crore, not 3.33 crore. He argued that 92.7% turnout of 3.6 crore amounts to 3.33 crore votes, which, according to him, reflects an increase of 20-25 lakh votes compared to 2021.
Derek,
Come 5th May, you will find yourself out of a job. Perhaps the time away will help you learn to listen, not just speak.
The total number of electors in Phase 1 was 3.6 crore, not 3.33 crore. In fact, 92.7% of 3.6 crore is 3.33 crore. What we’re actually seeing is a… https://t.co/ZrlJmjnSCg
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 24, 2026
Malviya credited the surge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of “Bhoy Out, Bhorsa In,” claiming voters came out fearlessly, particularly in areas previously affected by intimidation from TMC strongmen. He also highlighted increased polling in constituencies such as Cooch Behar, Maldah Uttar, Asansol and Birbhum.
As the political rhetoric intensifies, both parties are now looking to the second phase of polling on April 29, with Malviya asserting that it would pave the way for a decisive outcome on May 4.
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