The high-stakes 2024 general elections witnessed an unprecedented show of opposition unity, with regional parties and the Congress party playing a pivotal role in curbing the BJP’s dominance.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured a third consecutive term in power following the 2024 Indian General Elections, despite falling short of an outright majority. The results, announced on June 4, 2024, highlight significant shifts in voter sentiment and underscore the rising influence of regional parties and opposition alliances.
In a remarkable political upheaval, the opposition’s INDI alliance has emerged as a formidable force, denying the ruling BJP an outright majority and reshaping the dynamics of Indian politics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP won 240 seats with a vote share of 36.56%, leading the NDA to a total of 292 seats crossing majority mark of 272 seats for forming government. This victory marks the first time since 1962 that a party has formed the government for three consecutive terms. However, the BJP did not achieve its ambitious target of “400-paar,” and its reduced seat count from previous elections indicates a need for strategic alliances to form a stable government.
In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP faced significant competition from the INDI Alliances’s Samajwadi Party (SP), which won 37 out of 80 seats & Congress won 6 seats. On the other hand, the BJP got 33 seats, NDA members RLD got 2 seats, and Apna Dal got 1 seat. This shows a strong challenge from regional parties. Similarly, in West Bengal, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) dominated with 29 out of 42 seats, leaving the BJP with only 12 & INC won 1 seat only.
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, led by the Indian National Congress (INC) and comprising several regional parties, emerged as a formidable opposition. The INC won 99 seats with a 21.19% vote share, marking a significant improvement. Rahul Gandhi, secured victories in both Wayanad and Raebareli, emphasizing a renewed focus on coalition politics and pro-poor policies.
Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) and other regional players like the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) who won 22 seats with 1.82% vote share, played crucial roles in the INDIA bloc’s success.
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and a key INDIA bloc leader, addressing the press on June 4, Banerjee stated, as reported by ANI, “… I am happy that the Prime Minister did not get the majority figure. He should resign immediately because he had said that this time they would cross 400 seats…” She further remarked, “…Even after causing so many atrocities, spending so much money, this arrogance of Modi ji and Amit Shah, INDIA has won and Modi has lost. They have even lost in Ayodhya…”
“This election was a battle to protect our Constitution and democratic values,” declared Rahul Gandhi, who secured victories in both Wayanad and Raebareli. Gandhi credited the triumph to the collective will of the people, asserting that the nation had rejected the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Regional shifts were prominent, with significant victories for non-BJP parties in various states. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], with 16 and 12 seats respectively, are going to play the role of kingmakers for the NDA Government, given the BJP’s need for coalition support. The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), winning all its five contested seats, will also play a pivotal role in the new government.
In Kerala, the BJP’s Suresh Gopi Actor turned politician won the Thrissur constituency, marking the party’s first parliamentary seat in the state. This victory signals the BJP’s growing influence in traditionally non-BJP territories. In contrast, the defeat of prominent BJP candidates in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal highlighted the resurgence of regional parties and shifting voter alliances.
In his post-election address, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to the electorate and emphasized continuity in governance. Modi thanked BJP workers for their hard work, stating it inspired him to work for the country. He praised the Election Commission for successfully conducting the elections, emphasizing the scale and efficiency of the operation, which involved 100 crore voters, 11 lakh polling stations, 1.5 crore poll officials, and 50 lakh EVMs. He highlighted the pride every Indian should feel in the election system’s credibility and efficiency.
Modi recounted the NDA government’s decisions, such as the removal of Article 370 from J&K and banking reforms, emphasizing the priority of national interest. He credited his administration with effective handling of the COVID-19 crisis and positioning India as the fastest developing economy, aiming for self-reliance.
Modi stressed the need to combat corruption, highlighting Digital India’s role in curbing it but acknowledging the challenges ahead. He vowed that the thrust of the NDA’s third term would be to end corruption.
Conclusion
The 2024 Indian General Elections underscore a dynamic and evolving political landscape. While the BJP-led NDA secures another term, the rise of the INDIA bloc and the significant performance of regional parties point to a more competitive and coalition-driven future. The need for strategic alliances and the emphasis on inclusive governance will shape the political discourse in the coming years, ensuring that India’s democracy remains vibrant and responsive to its diverse electorate.
As India moves forward, the political landscape promises to be more dynamic, with regional parties and opposition alliances playing crucial roles in shaping governance and policy. The 2024 elections have not only defined the immediate political scenario but have also set the stage for future political strategies and alignments, reinforcing the resilience and adaptability of Indian democracy.