As India's marathon election nears its conclusion with just two phases remaining, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh assured that choosing the next prime minister will be a swift process once the results are declared on June 4. Ramesh emphasized that the election is not a "beauty contest" between individuals, which is why the INDIA alliance has not projected a specific candidate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The assertion follows Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge?s statement that the INDIA bloc, consisting of 26 alliance partners, will select the prime minister through consensus. This approach mirrors the process used by the former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in 2004, where Manmohan Singh was named prime minister within four days. According to Ramesh, this time, the decision will be made within a few hours.

"The formula to be followed is that the candidate of the biggest party will be the prime minister," Ramesh explained to news agency ANI, addressing speculation about Rahul Gandhi being a potential PM candidate. Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Wayanad and Raebareli in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The absence of a declared PM candidate for the INDIA alliance has drawn criticism from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that the opposition is planning for "five prime ministers in five years." Responding to this, Kharge pointed out that the UPA, also an alliance of various parties, completed full terms with a single prime minister, thus ensuring stability and coherence.