In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP easily exceeded the 272-majority threshold with 303 seats. Expecting to improve the margin in 2024, the party established a goal of '400 paar' for both the NDA bloc and 370+ members.
On June 4, the BJP had a harsh reality check when it won 240 seats, 32 fewer than the necessary majority. However, the party would still be in power because of its friends in the NDA, who increased the coalition count to 292.
Despite controlling the Legislative Assembly in all four states, the BJP lost ground in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
Five reasons why Modi faces election disappointment in 2024
The BJP-led NDA is returning for a second term. Still, the party's worse electoral showing—particularly in BJP strongholds like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh—has left many asking what went wrong.
1. First, following its recent and historical victories in the north and west, if the BJP is unduly dependent on the heartland and overly confident. Despite having the most MPs from south India in Parliament, the party's dominance on the peninsula is still far from its heartland levels.
2. The opposition's accusation that the BJP's "Constitution will be changed" also helped to split support, making it impossible for the party to effectively respond to it. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, was frequently seen clutching a Constitution booklet during Lok Sabha election campaigning, claiming that the BJP would alter the document if it were to win power. BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde from Karnataka had also stated that the "anti-Hindu" reforms might be reversed by amending the Constitution, which is why the BJP needs a majority in Parliament.
3. As to the evaluations of BJP officials, the party's poor performance in Uttar Pradesh was mostly caused by its inability to appropriately balance the caste dynamics. The non-Jatav Dalit voters switched their allegiance to the INDIA bloc, in addition to the non-Yadav OBC vote bank defecting from the BJP. The Khatik and Kurmi votes among the non-Yadav OBCs went mostly to the Opposition.
4. The main cause of the poor performance is being attributed to the lack of cooperation between the party members and the government. Party members are upset over the government's indifference, particularly in Maharashtra. A mistake was also made in fielding sitting Members of Parliament as candidates in the majority of seats. Furthermore, it was poorly regarded when the BJP accepted turncoats into the party and fielded them as candidates.
5. Ironically, the BJP's strength is its fifth and worst portent. Even the most deluded members of the Opposition do not think they can unseat Narendra Modi in 2024. Opponents of the prime minister have come to terms with a far more modest and practical threshold: limiting the BJP to less than 272 seats, or a simple majority. They are aware that the unicorn's horn will shatter and it will become a chained workhorse if they are successful in doing so and forcing the BJP into a coalition.
Also Read: List of Players who have contested in Lok Sabha Elections 2024
About the Author:
Akanksha Sinha
I'm Akanksha Sinha, an expert in writing sports blogs, news, and various articles for entertainment and more. I bring a unique flair to my work, providing insightful perspectives on the world of sports.
My articles aim to inform and entertain, making me a go-to source for sports enthusiasts seeking a blend of information and enjoyment. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, I consistently deliver compelling narratives that resonate with a diverse audience.