...
By Danish Manzoor Bhat
Editorial Director, Asia
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has faced an unexpected setback in the 2024 general elections, leading to jubilant celebrations by opposition parties.
Early results indicate a significant loss of seats for the BJP, with the Indian National Congress (INC) and its allies making substantial gains.
"This is a moral defeat of Narendra Modi. The mandate of the people is against PM Modi. The BJP has not got full majority," Indian National Congress President Malikarjun Kharge told reporters.
Read More
India’s Modi Suffers Stunning Defeat in Backyard of his Signature Hindu Temple3 min read
The Congress party, which for decades dominated Indian politics, has been at the forefront of the resurgence against the nationalist BJP and Modi, who has served as prime minister since 2014 in the world's most populous country and its biggest democracy.
Modi's party was still clearly on course to emerge as the biggest in the Lok Sabha, India's lower house of parliament, and to remain in power with the help of partners in a National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
...
Latest results from the vote count showed the BJP with 240 of 543 seats declared versus 99 for Congress. The BJP won 303 seats to 52 for Congress in 2019.
"People have placed their faith in NDA, for a third consecutive time! This is a historical feat in India's history," Modi posted on X.
Modi had told Newsweek in an interview in April that India's people saw his government as having fulfilled its promises and therefore remaining strong in their support.
"By the end of the second term, even the most popular governments start losing support. Discontent toward governments has also increased in the last few years in the world. India stands out as an exception, where popular support for our government is increasing," he said at the time.
BJP landslide fails to materialize
Political analysts had anticipated a huge win for the BJP, with some even predicting 400 plus out of the 543 seats in elections, but the scale of its losses has taken many by surprise.
"In spite of the rumble and tumble, the world's largest democracy, has demonstrated that it still thrives and the voters have demonstrated, they aren't swayed by mere assurances, rhetoric or other emotive acts or the pomp and show," an Indian Army veteran Maj. Gen. Dilawar Singh (Retd.), told Newsweek.
"It now remains to be seen how the new government is formed and focuses on real best governance practices to bridge the gap between the haves and have nots, increases manufacturing and jobs and accelerates economy, while strengthening the nation simultaneously. The western media narratives against Indian democracy having failed also stand discredited," Singh added.
Rahul Gandhi, scion of the political dynasty behind the Congress party, told the party's news briefing that the election had been fought not only against the BJP, but India's institutions, security agencies and judiciary, which it accuses of being dominated by Modi and his confidant Amit Shah, home affairs minister.
"The fight was to save the Constitution. I thank the alliance partners. You have taken the first step towards saving the Constitution," he said.
The opposition's strategy to focus on local issues and build a narrative around unity and justice appears to have resonated with voters.
Tanveer H. Khan, an Indian National Congress Party member, told Newsweek that Rahul Gandhi's marches to reinvigorate support had been pivotal.
"These extensive marches undertaken by Rahul, which spanned thousands of kilometers across multiple states, focused on issues such as social justice, economic disparity, and the erosion of democratic institutions under the BJP regime".
The impact of the election results on the Indian stock market has been closely watched. The markets opened with heightened volatility, reflecting investor nervousness over the election outcomes. However, analysts predict that once the initial uncertainty settles, there could be a stabilization and potential rally if a stable government is formed.
Home Minister Shah had earlier expressed confidence that the stock market would "shoot up" post-election results, should the BJP secure a stable majority.
Within the ruling party, debate is heated over who should take the blame for the poorer than expected performance. Some said that specific leaders were responsible for opening the party to candidates who discredited its legacy. Others blamed factionalism. None would speak except on condition of anonymity.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines