Prime Minister’s Address
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the BJP’s headquarters in Delhi after it became clear that the party will form the new government. He thanked voters and called it a victory for the world’s biggest democracy.
BJP and NDA Seat Count
The BJP was aiming for 370 seats, with the NDA targeting over 400 seats. However, at 11 pm, the BJP was leading in 241 seats, and the NDA was ahead in 294 seats. The INDIA bloc was leading in 231 seats, and Congress in 100 seats.
Uttar Pradesh Upset
Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 seats in the Lok Sabha, upset the BJP’s plans. The INDIA bloc, including the Samajwadi Party and Congress, was leading in 44 seats, while the BJP remained at 32 seats. The BJP had previously dominated this state in 2014 and 2019.
Battleground States
The BJP did not perform well in other key states either. In Bengal, the party was leading in only 12 seats at 11 pm, while Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress was ahead in 29 seats.
In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena was leading in 9 seats, Shinde Sena in 7, Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction in 1, Sharad Pawar in 7, BJP in 10, and Congress in 13.
Gains in Other States
Along with some losses BJP also gained in Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. In Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu was heading for a landslide victory with a lead in 158 out of 175 constituencies. In Odisha, the BJP won a major victory, ending Naveen Patnaik’s 25-year run with the Biju Janata Dal.
PM Modi’s Tweet
PM Modi tweeted, “People have placed their faith in NDA for a third consecutive time! This is a historical feat in India’s history. I bow to the Janata Janardan for this affection and assure them that we will continue the good work done in the last decade to keep fulfilling the aspirations of people.”
Election Campaign
The election campaign was intense and long. Exit polls predicted a big win for the BJP-led NDA, with some forecasting over 400 seats. However, exit polls failed to make correct predictions.
BJP’s Campaign Strategy
The BJP started its campaign early, focusing on development, the economy, and a vision for the 100th anniversary of Independence. They also highlighted achievements like the scrapping of Article 370 and the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple.
Opposition’s Strategy
The opposition was more united as compared to 2019. Despite some early problems, like the Congress competing against Trinamool in Bengal and against AAP in Punjab, their campaign remained focused on changing the constitution and ending reservations made an impact.
-Prisha Jaiswal