Lalit Shastri

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has firmly secured its position in the Indian political landscape following a decisive victory over the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDI Alliance) in the recent elections. The NDA garnered 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, surpassing the majority mark of 272. However, unlike the previous two elections in 2014 and 2019, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) commanded an absolute majority, this time the BJP secured 240 seats, falling short by 32 seats for a clear majority on its own.

The Congress party has been restricted to double digits with a tally of 99 seats, whereas its allies have won the remaining 135 seats. The campaign for the 2024 election was fiercely contested, with both sides engaging in a no-holds-barred contest. The Congress election manifesto faced criticism from experts who argued that its promises were divisive and fiscally irresponsible, potentially costing as much as Rs 22 lakh crore annually.

The election results defied many predictions and exit polls, underscoring the voters’ diverse priorities on a region to region basis. The BJP’s allies, such as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh and the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar, played crucial roles in solidifying the NDA’s coalition strength. On the other side, the main opposition party Congress displayed a significant resurgence in states like Rajasthan and Haryana. Regional parties like the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal also made substantial gains, with the SP securing 37 seats and the TMC winning 29 seats.

Narendra Modi, who has emerged as the undisputed leader, has been sworn in for his third term as Prime Minister. In his first act, he authorized the release of nearly Rs 20,000 crore under the ‘PM Kisan Nidhi’ scheme.

Chirag Paswan, solidifying his role as his father Ram Vilas Paswan’s political heir, has been inducted into the new Modi Cabinet on June 9. His party, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), maintained a perfect strike rate by winning all five of its allocated Lok Sabha seats.

During the crucial NDA meeting on June 7, 2024, TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu praised Modi’s relentless campaign efforts, which he credited for the NDA’s success in Andhra Pradesh. Naidu highlighted Modi’s transformative leadership over the past decade, positioning India as a global powerhouse and the world’s fifth-largest economy. Naidu expressed confidence that under Modi’s leadership, India could soon become the third-largest economy globally, emphasizing Modi’s role in enhancing India’s global standing and economic growth.

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar echoed similar sentiments, expressing optimism that all pending projects in Bihar would be completed under Modi’s leadership. He stressed the unity and commitment within the NDA to work together for national progress. Kumar’s remarks also acknowledged the BJP’s slight dip in seat count in 2024, yet he assured Modi of a stronger comeback in future elections, reflecting a spirit of solidarity within the NDA.

Telugu action star and Jana Sena Chief Pawan Kalyan lauded Modi’s leadership, attributing the sweeping victories in Andhra Pradesh to Modi’s inspiring vision and patriotic fervor. Kalyan emphasized that Modi’s guidance and developmental efforts were instrumental in the NDA’s electoral success both in the state assembly and parliamentary elections.

Overall, the NDA’s triumph in the 2024 elections underscores Narendra Modi’s enduring influence and the ruling coalition’s cohesive strategy, which have collectively steered India towards significant economic and developmental milestones.