The 2024 Indian general election marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape, highlighting substantial progress and shifting dynamics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successful bid for a third term emphasised the BJP’s achievements, while the opposition coalition, including Rahul Gandhi’s Indian National Congress, gained momentum, reflecting India’s complex and evolving democracy.

The 2024 Indian general election marked a significant turning point in the nation’s political landscape, highlighting substantial progress on multiple fronts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a third consecutive term after securing an absolute majority of 303 seats in 2019, and 282 in 2014 general elections, emphasised his party’s (Bharatiya Janata Party) ideological achievements, such as the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, alongside development, national security, and India’s global standing. In contrast, Rahul Gandhi’s Indian National Congress (INC) aimed to recover from past electoral setbacks within the primary opposition coalition, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), formed in 2023 with parties like Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Samajwadi Party (SP), bolstering their electoral influence.

The Modi campaign pivoted around crucial issues including economic reforms, infrastructure, social justice, environmental sustainability, and highlighting BJP achievements like rural electrification and sanitation. The election featured vigorous digital and traditional campaigning, reflecting significant voter engagement and diverse regional priorities. Unlike his previous two terms, where his party won an outright majority, this outcome is viewed as a significant setback for Modi. Surveys and exit polls had anticipated the BJP would secure even more seats than in 2019.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a majority in the multi-stage election that concluded on 1 June, with the backing of 14 regional parties with 293 seats out of 543 in the Lower House of Parliament. The outcome reaffirmed Modi’s leadership amid complex regional dynamics, prompting strategic shifts among opposition factions.

Modi’s Historic Third Term: Cementing Political Legacy

Modi’s reelection to a third term as prime minister in 2024 parallels the achievement of India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who also served three consecutive terms. This milestone solidifies Modi’s political legacy, highlighting his sustained popularity and unwavering support from the BJP and its allies. His extended mandate paves the way for ongoing economic reforms, infrastructure development, social welfare improvements, and national security measures. Securing a third term underscores Modi’s adeptness in navigating diverse regional dynamics and securing broad electoral support, establishing him as a transformative figure in India’s socio-political fabric.

However, this term will mark his first experience leading a coalition government, with key allies like the Janata Dal (United) of Bihar, led by Nitish Kumar, and the Telugu Desam Party of Andhra Pradesh, led by Chandrababu Naidu. Modi’s new term is poised to face significant challenges in navigating diverse regional interests and a robust opposition, particularly in forging consensus on contentious political and policy matters. Issues such as economic reforms, agricultural policies, environmental regulations, and social welfare programs often divide public opinion and political parties. Building consensus among diverse political factions and stakeholders will be crucial for effective governance and policy implementation. But the Modi government’s most significant challenge is going to be on core ideological BJP issues, particularly the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, due to the lack of a clear majority for the BJP  in the Lower House. Leading this coalition will test Modi’s ability to maintain policy consistency in the world’s most populous democracy.

 A “Win-Win” Election: Implications and Stakeholder Benefits

The 2024 general election was a “win-win for many, yielding positive outcomes across diverse dimensions. Concurrently, opposition parties made substantial regional gains, underscoring India’s pluralistic democracy and ensuring checks and balances in governance. The election bolstered India’s democratic credentials globally, with robust voter engagement and civil conduct enhancing transparency and accountability. Crucially, the electoral process spurred dialogues on wide range of  issues including fostering inclusive governance and public awareness. In sum, the 2024 election showcased India’s resilience and democratic maturity amid diverse socio-economic challenges such as economic disparities and inclusive growth, social justice issues and caste dynamics, religious freedom and nationalism, healthcare accessibility, and employment.

Transformative Electoral Practices: Digitalisation and Inclusivity

The election also marked a watershed moment in the pioneering of electoral practices. Digital campaigning surged, with campaigns leveraging social media to engage voters, signalling a paradigm shift in national political communication strategies. Efforts to enhance gender representation gained ground, with increased female candidates and electoral victories promoting inclusivity in Indian politics. Youth participation also surged, reflecting a rising trend of young leaders shaping India’s political landscape.

Environmental concerns also gained prominence, driving policies addressing climate change and sustainable development, reflected among both voters and in political manifestos. Technological advancements in voter registration and electronic voting machines enhanced electoral integrity and efficiency, modernising India’s electoral framework. These advancements underscored India’s vibrant democracy, adapting to contemporary electoral dynamics of technological integration, growing involvement of youth and their influence on electoral outcomes, gender representation, policy debates, and recognition of regional issues and their impact on national politics.

Global Perceptions and Indian Democracy: A Robust Defense

The Indian general election of 2024 captured significant international media attention, underscoring India’s stature as the world’s largest democracy and a growing global influence. Foreign media scrutinised various aspects of the election, including allegations of voter suppression, electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering, voter and candidate intimidation, and concerns over biased media coverage and social media manipulation. These critiques portrayed a narrative of potential electoral unfairness and questioned India’s democratic integrity.

In response, supporters of the ruling BJP, and Indian authorities refuted these criticisms as biased or misrepresentative, asserting the election’s adherence to robust democratic norms and the electoral process as regular, free, and fair. Contrary to the criticism, the 2024 general election demonstrated widespread voter participation, no credible evidence of irregularities, and no social unrest. The electoral outcome shows the Indian general election as a competitive and inclusive process, countering foreign media’s allegations of systemic electoral malpractice and manipulation. The 2024 election served as a testament to India’s democratic resilience and its ability to uphold electoral integrity despite external skepticism.

Conclusion

The 2024 Indian general election marked a watershed moment, solidifying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership with the BJP-led NDA securing a mandate. Despite affirmation of Modi’s policies on development, security, and global relations, challenges loom ahead. The opposition’s rebound and scrutiny from international media present ongoing challenges. The BJP’s tally of 240 MPs in the Lok Sabha alone, surpassing the INDIA alliance’s 234 MPs, underscores Modi’s enduring popularity, but governing effectively amid diverse socio-economic demands remains critical. Balancing economic growth with social welfare, addressing regional disparities, and navigating global geopolitical complexities will test Modi’s governance. Additionally, ensuring inclusive governance amid public expectations, and managing coalition dynamics within the NDA, pose formidable challenges. As Modi embarks on his historic third term, consolidating gains while addressing these multifaceted challenges will define India’s trajectory under his leadership.

Dr Ashok Sharma is a Visiting Fellow at the University of New South Wales, Canberra at the Australian Defence force Academy. 

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