Today's Edition
By: Najla Al Midfa*
The results of India’s 2024 general elections have made a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, won but lost its majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, after a decade of dominance. Mr. Modi was expecting that his BJP and its allies would win more than 400 seats in the 543-seat parliament. Final results from the vote count revealed that, shockingly, Mr. Modi’s alliance failed to meet that target by a considerable margin. The BJP secured 240 seats out of 543, and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) overall secured 294 seats. The BJP, which mustered 240 seats, fell 32 short of the majority mark of 272. However, its coalition won the seats required to form the government. The BJP’s number of seats in this election represents a substantial decrease from the party’s previous tally of 303 seats in the 2019 elections. Significantly, that means that it will rely on its alliance partners to control parliament.
The Indian National Congress (INC), the principal opposition party, and its allies in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, “INDIA”, have made substantial gains, securing 233 seats. This resurgence is attributed to their strategic alliances and effective campaigning on issues like economic disparity, agricultural distress, and concerns over secularism and minority rights.
This election, conducted over seven phases from April 19 to June 1, is considered the largest democratic exercise in history. The voter turnout, with over 962 million participants, including a record number of women voters, reflects the robust engagement of the Indian electorate. While the drop in turnout is not significant, it has been enough to raise concerns within the BJP, prompting its candidates (including Mr. Modi) to double down on the party’s Hindu nationalist rhetoric.
The results are poised to have several implications for India. The loss of the majority for the BJP indicates a potential shift in policy direction, especially as a coalition government is formed with a mix of regional and national parties. This could lead to more balanced and possibly decentralised governance, addressing regional issues more effectively. However, it also increases the risk of political instability, with coalition dynamics often leading to conflicts over policy priorities and methods of governance. Despite maintaining a steady vote share nationwide, the BJP’s inability to secure seats in crucial regions underscores a waning confidence in Mr. Modi’s once-unquestionable appeal.
In conclusion, the 2024 election results mark a new chapter in Indian politics, with the potential for significant policy shifts and a reconfiguration of power dynamics both domestically and internationally.
The Indian National Congress (INC), the principal opposition party, and its allies in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, ‘INDIA’, have made substantial gains, securing 233 seats.
The results are poised to have several implications for India. The loss of the majority for the BJP indicates a potential shift in policy direction, especially as a coalition government is formed with a mix of regional and national parties.
*The writer is a research assistant at TRENDS Research & Advisory
