The 2024 elections to the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) will be remembered for many reasons.
The party (or rather the alliance) that won feels that it has lost, and the one that lost feels that it has won.
The ruling NDA alliance had set an ambitious target of getting at least 400 seats. That's 73.7% of the strength of the House of 543. But it fell way short getting only 293, that's is 53.9%.
On the other side, the Opposition alliance which didn't give itself (privately, of course) not more than 200 seats, got 232.
Many regional parties also fared much better than expected, giving widely an impression that everyone had something to celebrate.
This election also proved again that in India no party can take the electorate for granted. People have a mind of their own and think independently, not caring for the overarching perceptions and dominant narratives.
Politicians who had given themselves the aura invincibility have been cut down to size and those who had been lampooned have been elected.
How the reduced majority for the ruling alliance will impact government policy decisions will be worth watching.
Hi Pradeep - in amongst other things ... eg D-Day, SA election results and our own election announcement - yours too have featured ... it's interesting to read the result - thank goodness ... it'll be more democratic one hopes. Thanks for giving us the base facts - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteCloser voting result is desirable in my opinion, even if apparent leaders don't have the numbers to pass controversial legislation they may have desperately wanted.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteI admit to giving a smile when I heard the news... Well done, people of India! YAM xx
Hi Yamini - A lot of people here too are smiling. :-)
DeleteI think it is good to put a speedbreaker on BJP and Mr. Modi.
ReplyDeleteYour elections seem so fast and sensible to me. I'm rather envious.
ReplyDeleteOne of our local (satirical) news shows talked about the election on Sunday. Very interesting stuff. These results seem to be good news. (If you're curious about what we're hearing in the US, that show is online at oppositesnakes.com or howtoeatamango.com.)
ReplyDeleteI shall check that out. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteIt’s great to hear that people are not swayed by narratives and make up their own minds. I hope the result turns out well for the people of India!
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