India’s recently concluded Lok Sabha election, a monumental event that saw all 640 million votes counted after a six-week-long process, has brought about unexpected and significant results. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, secured 240 seats, falling short of the 272-seat mark for a majority in the 543-seat lower house of India’s Parliament. However, when considering its allies, the BJP managed to achieve a majority by securing a total of 283 seats. These unexpected outcomes have significantly altered the political landscape of the nation.
In contrast to the 2019 election, where the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 353 seats, with 303 of them being claimed by the BJP alone, the recent election outcome represents a notable shift in India’s political landscape.
One of the most surprising changes occurred in the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), a state that holds significant weight in determining the governing party in New Delhi. In the 2019 election, the NDA secured 64 seats in UP, with the BJP alone claiming 62. However, in the 2024 election, the Samajwadi Party (SP) won 37 seats, the Congress won six, and the BJP and its allies clinched 36 seats, marking a significant shift in the state’s political dynamics. Notably, the BJP suffered an unexpected defeat in the Faizabad constituency, home to the Ram temple in Ayodhya, a focal point of the BJP’s campaign. These shifts in key states have had a profound impact on the overall election results.
In West Bengal, the All India Trinamool Congress party, a key member of the INDIA alliance, managed to retain its dominance despite earlier predictions suggesting significant gains for the BJP. The Trinamool Congress won 29 seats, while the BJP secured only 12, contrary to the forecasts.
Another surprising turn of events occurred in Kerala, a state traditionally aligned with the left, where the BJP, known for its Hindu majoritarian politics, managed to secure its first Lok Sabha parliamentarian from the state. The Congress won 14 seats in Kerala.
Furthermore, the BJP faced setbacks in Maharashtra, witnessing losses as the Congress and its allies made noteworthy gains. The INCIA alliance clinched 30 out of the state’s 48 seats, with the BJP securing nine. The outcomes in Maharashtra have been attributed to the BJP’s “politics of humiliation,” which led to discontent among voters and regional parties.
Lastly, in Karnataka, while the BJP emerged as the largest winner, securing 17 seats, it experienced a decline compared to the 2019 election results. The Congress won 10 seats, and the Janata Dal (Secular) won in two constituencies, signalling that the BJP’s influence has eroded but remains significant, especially in coastal areas like Mangalore. This shift in the BJP’s influence is a significant development in the political landscape of the state.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election has clearly brought about unexpected shifts and upsets, reshaping India’s political landscape in significant ways.
