India Election Results: Modi’s BJP Secures Majority but Faces Surprising Setbacks in 2024
The 2024 Indian election results have left Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with a majority in Parliament, but far from the overwhelming victory they had anticipated. Despite securing enough seats to form a government with the support of allies, the BJP’s dominance has been notably challenged by a stronger-than-expected opposition performance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared victory on Tuesday, celebrating what he termed as a testament to the voters’ faith in his party and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition. Early election results showed the BJP and its allies capturing nearly 300 of the 543 parliamentary seats, ensuring a simple majority. However, the BJP alone won 240 seats, falling short of an independent majority for the first time since their 2014 landslide victory.
The opposition, spearheaded by the Indian National Congress and its allies under the INDIA coalition, performed significantly better than exit polls had suggested. The opposition bloc secured 222 seats, a substantial increase from previous years and a clear indicator of growing dissent against Modi’s policies.
Several regions witnessed surprising results. In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP’s stronghold, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress alliance won 43 seats, a significant gain from their previous performance. Modi’s own constituency, Varanasi, saw a reduced victory margin, reflecting the broader trend of decreased support. The Faizabad constituency, home to the newly consecrated Ram temple, also slipped from BJP’s grasp.
West Bengal, governed by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), saw the BJP’s predicted gains fall short, securing only 12 of the 42 seats, while the TMC retained 29 seats. In Kerala, the BJP broke new ground by winning a seat in Thrissur, marking its first parliamentary victory in the traditionally left-leaning state.
The 2024 election was characterized by a mix of political, economic, and social issues. Modi’s tenure has been marked by rapid economic growth and a stronger global presence for India. Yet, his administration has also faced criticism for eroding democratic norms, stoking religious tensions, and failing to address rising unemployment.
The youth vote played a crucial role, with many young Indians expressing dissatisfaction over job opportunities and the high cost of living. The opposition leveraged these issues, coupled with allegations of BJP’s authoritarianism and divisive politics, to rally support.
Implications and Future Challenges
Modi’s victory speech at the BJP headquarters emphasized the alliance’s success and downplayed the party’s individual losses, highlighting the need for coalition politics moving forward. The mixed election results reflect a complex political landscape where Modi’s vision of a Hindu-first nation is both deeply entrenched and increasingly contested.
Internationally, India remains a vital partner for the U.S. and other global powers, especially in countering China’s influence. However, Modi’s human rights record continues to pose challenges for diplomatic relations.