Year Ender 2024: Political Events that altered the electoral landscape
PTC News Desk: The year 2024 witnessed a major overhaul in India's political landscape altering the electoral scenario with never before scenarios and also set such records which may have long lasting consequences. Along with the Lok Sabha Elections, eight assembly elections were also held in 2024. While saffron party BJP has consistently expanded its footprint following a pattern of 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress led opposition INDIA bloc has projected a rare sight of fightback.
2024 will go down as the most tumultuous politic years in the history as the fate of top parties BJP and Congress witnessed massive fluctuations over the past months. Here's a look at the events that altered the political landscape:
Lok Sabha Elections- Politics Redefined
"Ab Ki Baar 400 Paar" was the slogan of BJP led NDA block which gained momentum in the beginning of 2024. With a religious display of strength, PM Modi fulfilled his promise of Ram Temple in Ayodhya to the people of India. If predictions were to believed, it was anticipated that BJP would attain un unprecedented surge in number of seats in Lok Sabha, if elections were held in immediately after Ram Mandir inauguration. However the slogan started fading down as soon as the results started unfolding as BJP failed to Independently secure majority. Notably, NDA also could not cross 300 mark whereas with a spirited comeback, Congress powered the INDIA bloc to 234 seats in Lok Sabha doubling its seat count to 99.
Haryana and Maharashtra- Revival
The assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana also proved to be a game changer for both the ruling and the opposition alliance. Throwing away all the speculations and exit polls, BJP won majority with 48 seats becoming first party in Haryana to win assembly election consecutively for the third time. Weeks later, a remarkable performance by the BJP propelled the Mahayuti alliance to a decisive victory in Maharashtra, pushing the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP) to the sidelines. The BJP's impressive resurgence renewed confidence in Narendra Modi's leadership and reinforced the party's dominant position in Indian politics.
Rajya Sabha elections
The first half of 2024 also saw intense Rajya Sabha elections, marked by widespread cross-voting by MLAs in favor of the BJP. In the February 27 elections, the BJP secured victories in 10 out of the 15 seats contested in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh.
Comebacks and Resurgences
2024 was also a defining year for regional parties across crucial states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha voted alongside the Lok Sabha elections and both states saw power change hands.
On the other hand Jammu and Kashmir went to polls after more than a decade which saw massive Congress-NC forming government in alliance. It was also the first elections since the delimitation exercise. Similar to J&K, elections in Jharkhand were another success for the INDIA bloc, with the JMM-Congress alliance successfully maintaining its hold on power.
- With inputs from agencies
