BJP Wins Three States, Confident Of 'Hat-Trick' In 2024 Polls
By Gajanan Khergamker
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victories in three crucial states in western and central India, setting the stage for the upcoming general elections next year. On December 3, the BJP successfully unseated the principal opposition party, Congress, in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, underscoring the BJP's growing political influence under Modi's leadership.
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| PM Narendra Modi at a rally held in Indore waving out to the surge of crowds interlining the way |
It's essential to note that state elections in India do not determine the formation of the central government in New Delhi. Instead, they play a role in shaping the composition of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament. Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by state assemblies, and their tenure does not align with the Lok Sabha, the lower house directly elected by the people every five years during General Elections.
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| Modi hinted at a potential third consecutive term for the BJP in 2024, citing the recent victories as a positive indicator |
While the Congress party gracefully accepted defeat, it celebrated its win in Telangana. The states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, where the BJP emerged victorious, collectively hold 65 seats in the Lok Sabha. Currently, the BJP holds 63 of these 65 seats, making this loss a significant blow to the Indian National Congress, the principal opposition party led by the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Indian PM Modi expressed gratitude to the electorate, stating on social media, "We bow to the Janata Janardan," acknowledging the voters' mandate in these states. During a speech at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi hinted at a potential third consecutive term for the BJP in 2024, citing the recent victories as a positive indicator.
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| PM Narendra Modi while campaigning in Pali and Pilibanga. The victory was a given. |
In total, elections took place in five states in November—Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram.
Meanwhile, while most exit polls predicted a hung House in Mizoram, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) emerged victorious in 27 seats, surpassing the halfway mark in the 40-seat Assembly. Mizoram, historically dominated by the Congress and the Mizo National Front (MNF), witnessed a significant shift in power dynamics, with ZPM gaining prominence in this election.
The MNF, led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, faced defeat against ZPM’s Jeje Lalpekhlua in the South Tuipui seat. Zoramthanga later resigned. The political landscape of Mizoram, traditionally governed by the Congress and MNF, has seen shifts in power dynamics, with the BJP playing a limited role in the recent polls. The Congress, highlighting an anti-BJP stance, portrayed both the MNF and ZPM as potential entry points for the BJP into the Christian-majority state.
The BJP's hopes to influence government formation in Mizoram, contesting in 23 seats, were not realised. The Congress, leveraging the Manipur crisis against the BJP in its campaign, attributed alleged mismanagement by the BJP in the Northeast to boost its poll prospects. The MNF, aiming for another victory, remains a key player in Mizoram's political landscape.
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