Narendra Modi Secures Third Term Amidst Opposition Gains
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will assume a third term in office, despite his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition falling short of its projected dominance. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the NDA garnered 292 seats, with results still pending in one constituency.
Underwhelming Performance in Key Battleground
The BJP's aspirations for over 400 seats were thwarted by an underwhelming performance in the bellwether state of Uttar Pradesh, where the resurgent Indian National Congress (INC) bloc seized 233 seats. The BJP managed 33 seats in the state, falling short of the Congress and its allies.
NDA's Reduced Vote Share
Besides the lower seat count, the NDA faced a reduced vote share, slipping from 50% in 2019 to 36.56%. Conversely, the INC bloc gained ground with a vote share of approximately 41%.
West Bengal Sees BJP Reversal
In West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) prevailed over the BJP, securing 29 seats and exceeding exit poll predictions. The BJP, which had anticipated a saffron wave, garnered 12 seats.
Maharashtra's Mixed Outcomes
The INC bloc also made gains in Maharashtra, winning 29 parliamentary constituencies out of a total of 48. The ruling coalition comprising BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP secured 17 seats.
NDA's Limited Advantage in Uttar Pradesh
The NDA's stronghold in Uttar Pradesh saw a shift, with the INC bloc capturing 43 of the 80 seats. The NDA coalition, comprising BJP, Congress, and Samajwadi Party, managed to secure 33, 6, and 37 seats, respectively.
Upsets in Hot Seats
Prominent upsets included Union Minister Smriti Irani's defeat in Amethi to Rahul Gandhi confidante Kishori Lal Sharma. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, another Union Minister, conceded defeat to Congress's Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram. Rahul Gandhi retained his Wayanad seat by a landslide and leads in Rae Bareli. Prime Minister Modi secured reelection in Varanasi, defeating Congress candidate Ajay Rai by a wide margin.
India Sets Voter Turnout Records
Over seven rounds of polling spanning six weeks, India witnessed a record voter turnout. Despite sweltering heat, 64.2 crore voters, including 31.2 crore women, exercised their franchise.
Shifting Tide in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Assembly Elections
In Andhra Pradesh, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy suffered a setback, losing to the NDA alliance led by Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The NDA won 164 of the 175 assembly seats, while YSRCP conceded defeat.
Odisha witnessed a BJP surge, with the party securing 78 of the 147 assembly seats. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik won 51 seats, with Patnaik narrowly losing in one constituency.
Exit Poll Discrepancies
Exit polls had unanimously predicted a historic third term for Prime Minister Modi, projecting a dominating majority. However, the INC bloc and its allies have shown a strong performance, underscoring the competitive nature of the election.
