After a grueling six-week, seven-phase voting process, the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were declared yesterday, marking a historic event in India's democratic journey. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerged victorious, securing 292 seats, outpacing the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which garnered 232 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to take the oath of office on Saturday evening, June 8, 2024. The results reflect a closely fought contest, underscoring the vibrancy of the world's largest democracy.
All NDA leaders in a picture (Mint)
Both the NDA and the INDIA bloc are scheduled to hold crucial meetings to strategize their next steps. This election highlighted the broader ideological divide between the BJP and the Congress-led INDIA alliance. Prime Minister Modi celebrated the outcome, calling it a "victory of the world's largest democracy," emphasizing the robust electoral process and the active participation of millions of voters across the nation.
Despite the BJP's ambitious target of 370 seats (over 400 including NDA allies), their gains were significantly curtailed by the formidable challenge posed by the opposition. The Congress-led INDIA bloc's impressive performance, securing 232 seats, defied exit poll predictions and narrowed the BJP's lead in several key states. This result underscores the competitive nature of Indian politics and sets the stage for intense political maneuvering in the days ahead.
Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu Give Support Letters In NDA Meet
According to sources that spoke to NDTV, Nitish Kumar (JDU) and Chandrababu Naidu, the chief of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), have provided letters of support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during a meeting held at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. The NDA allies are expected to stake their claim to form the government today, with Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah who met with President Droupadi Murmu for this purpose. This move signifies the consolidation of support within the NDA, bolstering its position to lead the government after a closely contested election.
Concurrently, a crucial meeting of the INDIA bloc is slated in another part of Lutyens' Delhi. Key opposition figures, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Sharad Pawar, and Supriya Sule, have arrived in Delhi for this gathering. This meeting underscores the ongoing strategic discussions within the opposition alliance as they navigate their next steps in the political landscape following the election results.
Akhilesh Yadav Arrives In Delhi For INDIA Bloc Meeting
The national convener of the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav, arrived in Delhi to attend the opposition alliance meeting of the INDIA bloc. In the recent general elections, Yadav's party demonstrated remarkable strength, securing 37 seats in Uttar Pradesh, including his own constituency of Kannauj. This strong performance by the Samajwadi Party delivered a significant setback to the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Concurrently, the Congress party experienced a resurgence in Uttar Pradesh, winning eight seats. Despite high hopes in its traditional bastion, the BJP managed to secure only 33 seats, underperforming its expectations.
Leaders of INDIA Bloc Arrive In Delhi For Big Meet
Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc have gathered in Delhi for a crucial meeting, following the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results. The INDIA alliance made a significant impact, securing 232 seats and limiting the ruling BJP-led NDA coalition to 293 seats, while other parties collectively obtained 18 seats. This meeting is expected to be pivotal in determining the opposition's next steps in the political landscape.
Among the leaders arriving in Delhi is Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren. Additionally, Kalpana Soren, wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, has also reached the capital, underscoring the significant presence of Jharkhand's political figures in the opposition's strategy discussions. Their participation highlights the diverse representation within the INDIA bloc.
Prominent Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav is also in Delhi. Notably, he and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose Janata Dal (United) party is part of the NDA alliance, traveled together to the capital. With the JD(U) winning 12 seats, Nitish Kumar has emerged as a potential kingmaker in the post-election scenario, adding an intriguing dynamic to the political developments.
BJP's Setback in Uttar Pradesh
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) introspects on its recent electoral setback, a crucial question emerges: Why did the party fail to secure votes from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) despite forging alliances with several caste-based parties such as the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), NISHAD Party, Apna Dal (S), and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD)? The BJP had set an ambitious target of winning all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh (UP), contributing to its broader national goal of securing 400 seats. To counter the Samajwadi Party's (SP) PDA formula, the BJP re-inducted SBSP President Om Prakash Rajbhar into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), aiming to attract Rajbhar votes. Rajbhar had previously left the BJP for the SP before the 2022 assembly elections. Furthermore, the BJP wooed Dara Singh Chauhan, an OBC leader, and successfully lured the RLD away from the INDIA alliance in February, intending to bolster its social justice outreach.
Despite these strategic moves, the BJP's efforts did not translate into votes. The BJP allocated seats to its NDA allies, with SBSP contesting one seat, while Apna Dal (S) and RLD contested two seats each. Sanjay Nishad's son, Praveen Nishad, was given the Sant Kabir Nagar seat for the second time. The party hoped that these OBC leaders would draw non-Yadav OBC votes. However, the election results revealed that these caste-based leaders failed to garner votes from their respective communities. Om Prakash Rajbhar could not secure the Ghosi seat for his son, and the BJP suffered defeats in key constituencies with significant Rajbhar populations, such as Ballia, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Salempur, Lalganj, and Azamgarh.
The BJP's setbacks were not limited to the Rajbhar community. Apna Dal (S) leader Anupriya Patel, a prominent Kurmi face in the NDA, barely managed to retain her seat after a tough contest in Mirzapur and lost Robertsganj. The BJP also lost in other Kurmi-dominated areas like Pratapgarh, Fatehpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Shravasti, and Jalaun. This pattern highlights a broader failure of the BJP's strategy to secure votes from non-Yadav OBC communities, even with the backing of influential caste-based leaders.
These election results have prompted the BJP to reevaluate its approach towards OBC voters. Despite high-profile alliances and targeted outreach, the party's inability to secure substantial support from these communities has raised significant questions about its strategy. Moving forward, the BJP will need to reassess its tactics and possibly reforge its connections with OBC voters to strengthen its position in future elections.
BJP's Decline in Rajasthan
The strong performance of the opposition INDIA alliance in Rajasthan has dashed the BJP's hopes of securing a clean sweep of all 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state for the third consecutive time. The decline in the BJP's tally, occurring shortly after its victory in the assembly elections, will likely draw criticism towards both the party's central leadership and its state unit. This setback highlights the challenges the BJP faces in maintaining its dominance amid a resurgent opposition.
During the assembly polls, the BJP had aimed to secure 140 of the 200 seats. However, in a surprising move, the party kept former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje sidelined from the campaign until two weeks before the voting, when the leadership sensed the need for a more focused effort. Raje was eventually asked to campaign in select constituencies, and around 35-40 of the candidates she campaigned for emerged victorious. This late inclusion of Raje's influence underscored her importance within the party's ranks, despite earlier sidelining.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a substantial victory, clinching 115 seats in the elections. Nonetheless, the Indian National Congress exhibited its influence, capturing 70 seats across nine parliamentary constituencies, showcasing its stronghold in those regions. The Congress's ability to secure a significant portion of the seats served as a clear indication of its enduring presence and strategic campaign efforts in Rajasthan.
Disregarding the efforts of Vasundhara Raje during the assembly elections, the BJP's central leadership sidelined her from the general election strategy, candidate selection process, and campaigning initiatives. It was only after the first phase of polling on April 19 that the BJP leadership recognized their waning control over the state. At that point, they approached Raje for assistance, but it was too late to rectify the situation. This oversight proved costly as the BJP struggled to regain its footing in the crucial final stages of the election.
As the final phase of voting approached on April 26, the BJP had little time to course-correct. After the April 19 polling, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shifted focus, accusing the INDIA bloc of appeasing Muslims. However, this strategic pivot did not yield the desired results, and the BJP's gamble of appointing first-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma as chief minister failed to pay dividends in the general election campaign. The party attributed the sharp decline in voter turnout to several MLAs showing disinterest, which demotivated cadres at the booth level, ultimately impacting their overall performance in the elections.
In the recent electoral contest, the BJP did not renominate 14 sitting MPs, including three who had won the 2023 assembly polls. This decision exposed the party's struggle to select suitable candidates and gauge caste equations effectively. Historically, Vasundhara Raje has managed to unite rival castes, but the BJP's current stance appeared anti-Jat, impacting their vote banks. Denying a ticket to sitting Churu MP Rahul Kaswan, whose family had supported the BJP for 35 years, raised eyebrows. Allegedly, Kaswan was sidelined for being close to Raje and blamed by former opposition leader Rajendra Rathore for his assembly defeat.
Conversely, state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra successfully mobilized Jat voters. The Rajputs, feeling unrepresented by the BJP, shifted their allegiance. Key groups like the Meenas, Gurjars, and Scheduled Castes largely stayed away from the BJP due to its poor caste strategy. The BJP's failure to address these caste dynamics led to significant electoral losses. Despite fielding weaker candidates in four seats, the Congress performed well, showcasing resolve after its assembly poll loss. This rare determination within the Congress was largely credited to Dotasra, and some victorious candidates were backed by Sachin Pilot, reflecting a united front.
The BJP's audacious attempt to lure Congress leaders into their ranks faced a severe backlash. Grassroots workers felt disgruntled and disillusioned with this strategy, perceiving it as a betrayal of their loyalty. This discontent was evident in the electoral outcomes, as voters rejected two such defectors, Jyoti Mirdha from Nagaur and Mahendrajit Malviya from Banswara-Dungarpur. This clear expression of dissatisfaction with political maneuverings indicated the electorate's preference for authenticity and stable leadership over opportunistic alliances.
The BJP's missteps in candidate selection, caste strategy, and political maneuverings contributed significantly to their electoral setbacks in Rajasthan. The Congress, under the effective leadership of Govind Singh Dotasra, capitalized on these weaknesses, mobilizing crucial voter blocs and presenting a united front. The election results highlight the critical importance of understanding and addressing caste dynamics, maintaining party unity, and avoiding opportunistic political strategies to secure electoral success.
Women line up at UP Congress office for 'guarantee card' of Rs 1 lakh
The INDIA coalition's unexpected performance in Uttar Pradesh during the Lok Sabha elections led to a surge of women in Lucknow lining up outside a Congress party office, eager to claim the 'guarantee cards' promised during the campaign. These cards assured an annual payment of Rs 1 lakh to the female head of every impoverished family. The Congress had distributed these 'guarantee cards' to numerous households ahead of the polls, garnering significant attention and hope among the electorate.
Footage revealed a substantial crowd of Muslim women queuing under the scorching sun outside the Congress office in Lucknow. Many women demanded their 'guarantee cards,' while others who had already received them were seen submitting forms to ensure the promised funds would be credited to their accounts. Some women reported receiving receipts from the Congress office after submitting their details, which would facilitate the receipt of the funds.
The Congress's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' program played a pivotal role in this scenario. Party leaders were tasked with reaching out to nearly 80 million households, informing them of the party's 25 guarantees or promises. One notable guarantee was the Mahalakshmi scheme, which pledged to directly credit Rs 8,500 per month into the accounts of women heads of families belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. This scheme bore a resemblance to the Gruha Lakshmi guarantee scheme of the Congress-led Karnataka government, which pays Rs 2,000 to women heads of poor families.
In Bengaluru, the anticipation of receiving Rs 8,500 monthly led several women to rush to the General Post Office to open accounts, hoping to benefit from the Mahalakshmi scheme if the INDIA bloc came to power at the Centre. Despite the INDIA bloc defying exit polls and securing 234 seats, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appeared set to form the next government, having won 292 seats and crossed the majority mark of 272.
Modi Ji on the Election Result
Prime Minister Narendra Modi minced no words in his criticism of the opposition INDIA alliance, asserting that their seat tally in the Lok Sabha elections fell short of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) individual success. Modi's remarks came in the wake of the Lok Sabha election results, which defied earlier exit poll predictions that had forecasted a landslide victory for the NDA coalition under his leadership, with over 350 seats. However, contrary to these projections, the INDIA bloc put up a strong showing, with the Congress party emerging as the single largest party within the alliance.
PM Modi’s Comments
“Opposition despite being united could not win as many seats as BJP got on its own,” the prime minister said during his address to the party workers at the BJP headquarters.
While beginning his address with ‘Jai Jagannath’ chant, Modi said, "Today is a very auspicious day and the NDA is going to form the government for the third consecutive time. We are all thankful to the public for this. People of the nation have reposed their faith in the BJP and the NDA, and our victory is a win of the world's biggest democracy."
Hailing the BJP's victory in Odisha and NDA sweep in Andhra Pradesh, the prime minister said,"This is the first time after 1962 that a government after completing two terms has returned to power for the third consecutive time."
“The NDA has also swept the states - Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh - where Assembly elections were held. The Congress has been wiped out in these states. The BJP for the first time will form the government in Odisha. It has also performed exceptionally in Lok Sabha polls in Odisha,” Modi said.
Highlighting the voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi said,"The voters of Jammu and Kashmir have shown unprecedented enthusiasm by voting in record numbers. They have also shown a mirror to those who try to defame the nation. I salute the people on this occasion of victory."
Politician Reactions
After a significant downturn in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) announced a reconsideration of its candidate selection strategy, particularly regarding Muslim candidates. The BSP stated, “We gave enough representation to Muslims in this Lok Sabha election as well as in previous elections but did not receive adequate support. Therefore, from now onwards, we will only give them opportunities after careful consideration to avoid such losses."
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the NDA's losses in Nagaland and Meghalaya to leaders of a specific religion working against the ruling alliance. Despite these setbacks, he highlighted the NDA's success in winning 11 out of 14 seats in Assam, a state with 40% Muslim voters. Sarma remarked, “Leaders of a particular religion openly worked against BJP and NDA in Nagaland and Meghalaya, and that religion has tremendous followers. That made the difference."
“Congratulations to PM Shri@narendramodi Ji on being unanimously elected as the leader of the NDA. The last 10 years stand out as an era of large-scale development and welfare under the visionary leadership of Modi Ji. The NDA is firmly committed to serving the nation and its people with renewed strength and momentum," Amit Shah tweeted.
At the INDIA bloc meeting, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Despite clear moral defeat, PM Modi is determined to subvert will of people."
On being asked about being a part of the NDA, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu says "How can we contest elections if we are not a part of NDA? We fought this collectively. The meeting was good..."
UP Minister and BJP leader Dinesh Pratap Singh says, "This is a time for serious introspection for the BJP and party workers like me... We built the Ram Temple after 500 years of wait and huge airports and railway stations. An illusion has been created among the people, we will clear that illusion and create an environment in the favour of the BJP..."
On Lok Sabha election results, Karnataka Congress leader Priyank Kharge said, "It would have been better for the (INDIA) alliance if we would have got 25-30 seats more. All senior leaders of the alliance will meet today evening..."
Manoj Tiwari, BJP's winning candidate from North East Delhi, said, " People gave us 7 seats...first 5 months we will appeal to people to remove AAP and Congress who looted you and give double engine to PM Modi so that we can solve all the issues of Delhi...people should press lotus button in the election coming after 5 months"
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis requested the BJP high command to relieve him from the responsibility of the government after the BJP secured only nine of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in the general elections 2024.
“I take the responsibility for such results in Maharashtra. I was leading the party. I am requesting the BJP high command to relieve me from the responsibility of the government so that I can work hard for the party in upcoming elections," Fadnavis said on Wednesday.
On BJP opening its account in Kerala in Lok Sabha elections, State BJP President K Surendran says, "This is a very important and significant victory for BJP in Kerala. We opened our account and our vote share increased, 20% of votes BJP secured in this election. This is the beginning of a big yatra because next we have the local body and Assembly elections in which BJP will be the main contender."
World Leaders React
International leaders from a diverse array of countries including Italy, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mauritius, Bhutan, Maldives, Barbados, Jamaica, Ukraine, and Israel have extended their heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on their resounding victory in the recent elections. With the BJP-led coalition set to form the government for a third consecutive term, these leaders have lauded Modi's leadership and the NDA's success at the polls.
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated PM Modi on X, expressing eagerness to strengthen ties between Italy and India.
“Congratulations to @narendramodi on the new electoral victory and my warmest wishes for good work. Certain that we will continue to work together to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India and consolidate cooperation on the various issues that bind us, for the well-being of our Nations and our peoples,” she tweeted.
Nepal
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, congratulated PM Modi on his third consecutive term:
“Congratulations to PM @narendramodi on the electoral success of BJP and NDA in the Lok Sabha elections for the third consecutive term. We are happy to note the successful completion of the world’s largest democratic exercise with enthusiastic participation of the people of India.”
Bhutan
Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay praised PM Modi for leading India to great heights and emphasized further strengthening bilateral relations.
“Congratulations to my friend PM @narendramodi ji and NDA for the historic 3rd consecutive win in the world’s biggest elections. As he continues to lead Bharat to great heights, I look forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the relations between our two countries.”
PM Modi responded, “Thank you my friend Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay for your warm wishes. Bharat-Bhutan relations will continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the election results as a demonstration of people's faith in PM Modi's leadership.
“I extend my warmest felicitations to the @BJP4India led NDA on its victory, demonstrating the confidence of the Indian people in the progress and prosperity under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. As the closest neighbour, Sri Lanka looks forward to further strengthening the partnership with India.”
Maldives
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu congratulated PM Modi, expressing a desire to advance shared interests and stability.
“Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries.”
This follows recent tensions between the Maldives and India due to remarks by Maldivian ministers. However, the Maldives has stated its commitment to working with India for mutual prosperity and stability.
Barbados
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley recognized India's rise as a global leader under PM Modi.
“Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on his victory in India's elections, which has seen him secure an unprecedented third term. Under his leadership, India has become a global leader and ally to Barbados and the Caribbean region. Let's continue to build together!”
Jamaica
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness tweeted, “Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi as he prepares to embark on a historic third term as India’s head of government.”
Mauritius
Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth hailed the special relationship between India and Mauritius.
“Congratulations Prime Minister Modi Ji @narendramodi on your laudable victory for a historic third term. Under your helm, the largest democracy will continue to achieve remarkable progress. Long live the Mauritius-India special relationship.”
Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the successful holding of India's elections and expressed hope for continued cooperation.
“I welcome the successful holding of the world’s largest democratic elections in India. Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi, the BJP, and BJP-led NDA on the third consecutive victory in India's parliamentary elections. I wish the people of India peace and prosperity, and I hope for continued cooperation between our countries. India and Ukraine share common values and a rich history. May our partnership continue to thrive, bringing progress and mutual understanding for our nations. Everyone in the world recognizes the significance and weight of India's role in global affairs. It is critical that we all work together to ensure a just peace for all nations. In this regard, we also look forward to seeing India attend the Peace Summit.”
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his hopes for further strengthening Indo-Israel ties.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on being reelected for a third consecutive term. May the friendship between India and Israel continue to surge towards new heights. Badhaai Ho!”
Post Election Updates
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to formally stake his claim to form the new government at the Centre today. Following the election victory, leaders such as Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, along with other members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), have unanimously elected Narendra Modi as their leader. In preparation for this transition, PM Modi, accompanied by the Union Council of Ministers, tendered his resignation on Wednesday. The resignation was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu, marking the procedural step before the formation of the new government.
“The President accepted the resignation and requested the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers to continue in office till the new Government is formed," Rashtrapati Bhavan informed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take oath on June 8, according to media reports.
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