Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set for a third term, following the footsteps of founding prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and promises significant changes in the next five years. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Modi, has nearly secured the 292 seats needed to form the government, thanks to key allies N Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh and Nitish Kumar in Bihar, who together contribute around 30 seats.
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As the votes for the Lok Sabha polls were counted on Tuesday, Modi’s victory seemed assured, though the opposition exceeded expectations. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced setbacks in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, while Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress triumphed in West Bengal despite earlier doubts.
Modi Expresses Gratitude
From the BJP headquarters in Delhi, Prime Minister Modi thanked voters, calling the victory a testament to the strength of the world’s largest democracy. Under Modi’s leadership, India has become the fastest-growing major economy, with ambitions to be the third largest globally in three years, behind the US and China.
Key Allies in Focus
Attention is now on BJP’s crucial allies, N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. Their support is vital for the NDA to form the next government. Both had previously parted ways with the NDA over different issues but have now returned to support Modi.
Setbacks in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra
The BJP saw significant losses in Uttar Pradesh, where the Samajwadi Party (SP) surprised everyone by winning 36 seats, outperforming BJP’s 33. The Congress secured seven seats, while Mayawati’s BSP failed to win any seats, with supporters shifting their votes to the SP.
In Maharashtra, the BJP also faced a tough battle. The Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, including Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP), performed better than anticipated.
Notable Electoral Battles
Several high-profile politicians faced tough contests. In Amethi, Smriti Irani lost to Kishori Lal Sharma, a Gandhi family loyalist. Shashi Tharoor won in Thiruvananthapuram, defeating BJP’s Rajiv Chandrasekhar. Actor Suresh Gopi secured a win for the BJP in Thrissur, Kerala, marking a historic victory for the party there.
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Rahul Gandhi emerged victorious in both Wayanad, Kerala, and Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. He has yet to decide which seat to retain. Gandhi emphasized the public’s disapproval of Modi and Shah’s leadership.
In terms of sheer numbers, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan achieved a significant win with over 8 lakh votes. Prime Minister Modi won in Varanasi but with a reduced margin compared to the previous election.
Market Reactions and Policy Implications
The election results caused concern among investors, leading to a steep fall in stocks. Analysts suggest that Modi’s reliance on regional parties, known for shifting political loyalties, could bring some uncertainty to future policymaking.
Election Campaign Overview
Modi’s re-election campaign highlighted his decade-long achievements but later focused on criticizing the Congress for alleged favoritism, a claim denied by the opposition. The opposition’s campaign centered on affirmative action and defending the Constitution against what they termed Modi’s authoritarian rule. Unemployment and inflation were also significant issues for voters.
Election Facts and Figures
The seven-phase election saw around 642 million voters participating, despite the extreme summer heat. A record 312 million women voted, according to the Election Commission. Votes were cast at over 1 million polling stations across major states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar. To secure a majority, a party or coalition must achieve at least 272 seats in the Lok Sabha.
Stay updated with M31Global News for the latest on India’s political landscape and election outcomes.
The Team, M31Global News