After securing a historic third term in power, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led his Bharatiya Janata Party to victory in the general election of 2024. Modi’s administration may face difficulties in the upcoming years as a result of the party’s defeats in a number of significant states.
The BJP failed to secure the 272 seats necessary for an absolute majority in parliament, despite having set its sights on a supermajority of more than 400 seats. Consequently, in order to establish the government, Narendra Modi will need to rely on his coalition partners in the National Democratic Alliance.
Notwithstanding the loss, Modi’s win which makes him just the second Indian leader in history to win a third term marks a historic turning point in the political landscape. The Prime Minister, who has been in charge of politics for the last ten years, launched a campaign that was presidential in nature and emphasized his accomplishments and personal brand.
The state that counts the most in terms of sending legislators to the Lok Sabha, Uttar Pradesh, was one of the most significant areas where the BJP suffered significant losses. The opposition INDIA alliance now holds 44 seats, while the party that had swept the state in 2014 and 2019 saw its margin dwindle to only 32 seats out of 80.
The BJP also struggled in other battleground states, performing worse than anticipated in West Bengal and Maharashtra. At the time of reporting, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress appeared to have gained much of its lost territory, leading in 29 seats in West Bengal, while the BJP was leading in just 12 seats.
Gains in other states, including Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, somewhat offset the BJP’s setbacks. But altogether, the party’s performance did not live up to its high expectations.
The Indian National Congress party, leading the opposition, has interpreted the results as a rejection of Modi’s polarizing style of governing. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, said outside the party’s New Delhi headquarters that the people of the nation have “unanimously and clearly stated that it does not want Mr. Narendra Modi and his party to run the country.”
Opposition parties have succeeded to undermine Prime Minister Modi’s perception of electoral invincibility, even in the face of their failure to unseat him. Based on preliminary findings, Congress alone is expected to gain twice as many seats as it did in 2019.
Modi will have to negotiate the difficulties brought about by his diminished majority and the requirement to keep his coalition united as he gets ready to build his third government. The goal of the next five years, as pledged by the prime minister, is to transform India into a powerful regional force and the third-largest economy in the world.
But Modi’s ability to carry out his plan might be hampered by the BJP’s defeats in important states, especially if his plans call for amending India’s secular constitution. Two-thirds of parliament would need to approve any such legislation, which the BJP-led alliance would find difficult to obtain.
A growing number of people are worried that the BJP’s Hindu nationalist ideology has split the nation, especially since Narendra Modi has been using more strong language against opposition parties. The Prime Minister’s shortened mandate might restrain these inclinations and compel him to take a more inclusive stance on governing.
Modi’s popularity persists both domestically and internationally, as seen by his continuously high approval ratings relative to other global leaders. His electoral success has been largely attributed to his charisma and ability to relate to voters.
The spotlight will be on Modi’s ability to balance the conflicting demands of his supporters and the opposition as India enters a new phase of coalition government.
The success of the Prime Minister’s third term will largely depend on his capacity to create consensus and bridges. Narendra Modi will have to fortify his coalition, engage in talks with opposition parties, and steer India’s direction in the upcoming weeks and months.
