BJP’s Third Term Faces Challenges with Reduced Majority
BJP wins 240 seats in Lok Sabha elections, falling short of majority; Congress rebounds with 99 seats. Regional parties gain ground. Full results inside.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in the recent Lok Sabha elections, securing 240 seats, according to the Election Commission’s early Wednesday morning data. This victory, while significant, marks a decline from their previous dominance, highlighting a shift in India’s political landscape. The BJP will need support from its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners to form a government, as it fell short of the 272-seat majority mark.
BJP’s Winning Streak Faces New Realities
The BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been a formidable force in Indian politics since 2014, winning successive general and state elections. However, this election revealed cracks in their stronghold, with the party losing nearly 20 percent of its seats compared to the 2019 polls. The BJP’s seat count dropped from 303 to 240, reflecting a significant shift in voter sentiment.
Prime Minister Modi acknowledged this change, calling the results an “unprecedented moment in the history of India.” He emphasized the trust the people have placed in the NDA for the third consecutive time, promising to move forward with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
Congress’ Resurgence: A Sign of Revival
In stark contrast to its dismal performance in 2014 and 2019, the Congress party demonstrated a robust comeback, winning 99 seats. This nearly doubled their tally from the previous election, where they secured only 52 seats. The Congress’ revival suggests a renewed faith in the party, which many poll pundits had written off before the 2024 elections.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge interpreted the results as a moral defeat for Prime Minister Modi. “This is the victory of people and democracy. The mandate has gone against Modi. It is his political and moral loss,” Kharge stated during a press conference. This narrative positions the Congress as a reinvigorated force ready to challenge the BJP’s dominance in the coming years.
Regional Players Gain Ground
The election results also highlighted the rising influence of regional parties. In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party (SP) emerged as the single largest party with 37 seats, surpassing the BJP, which won 33 seats. This is a significant change from the BJP’s previous landslide victories in the state.
Similarly, in Maharashtra, the Congress won 13 seats, while its allies—the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—secured 9 and 8 seats respectively. The BJP-led alliance managed only 17 seats, underscoring the shifting political dynamics in one of India’s most crucial states.
The Full Picture: Party Performance Across India
Here is a detailed breakdown of how the major political parties performed in the Lok Sabha elections:
BJP: 240 seats
Congress: 99 seats
Samajwadi Party: 37 seats
Trinamool Congress: 29 seats
DMK: 22 seats
TDP: 16 seats
JD(U): 12 seats
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray): 9 seats
NCP (Sharad Pawar): 7 seats, leading in 1
Shiv Sena: 7 seats
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas): 5 seats
YSRCP: 4 seats
RJD: 4 seats
CPI(M): 4 seats
Indian Union Muslim League: 3 seats
AAP: 3 seats
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha: 3 seats
Janasena Party: 2 seats
CPI(ML)(L): 2 seats
JD(S): 2 seats
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi: 2 seats
CPI: 2 seats
RLD: 2 seats
National Conference: 2 seats
United People’s Party, Liberal: 1 seat
Asom Gana Parishad: 1 seat
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular): 1 seat
Kerala Congress: 1 seat
Revolutionary Socialist Party: 1 seat
NCP: 1 seat
Voice of the People Party: 1 seat
Zoram People’s Movement: 1 seat
Shiromani Akali Dal: 1 seat
Rashtriya Loktantrik Party: 1 seat
Bharat Adivasi Party: 1 seat
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha: 1 seat
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam: 1 seat
Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram): 1 seat
Apna Dal (Soneylal): 1 seat
AJSU Party: 1 seat
AIMIM: 1 seat
Independent: 7 seats
With the NDA securing just over 290 seats and the INDIA bloc garnering more than 230, the political landscape of India is set for an era of coalitions and alliances. The BJP will need to navigate this new reality by seeking support from allies like the TDP and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) to ensure a stable government.
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