Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a significant meeting of the Union Cabinet in the national capital, just a day after the pivotal 2024 Lok Sabha election results were revealed. The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, saw the presence of key figures such as Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, and Rajnath Singh, among other cabinet ministers, to discuss the road ahead.
The term of the current Lok Sabha is set to conclude on June 16, marking a crucial period for political realignments. Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition coalition known as the INDIA bloc have scheduled important meetings for Wednesday, aiming to strategize their next courses of action in the ever-evolving political landscape.
The NDA leaders are slated to gather later today at 3:30 pm at Prime Minister Modi’s residence. This meeting is expected to serve as a platform for discussing the strategies and alliances necessary to maintain their foothold in the government, especially considering the recent election results. Concurrently, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced on social media platform X that the leaders of the INDIA bloc will convene around 6 pm in the national capital to deliberate on their future steps.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election results have significantly altered the political milieu. According to the Election Commission of India, results were declared for 542 of the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies. The BJP emerged victorious in 240 seats, while Congress secured 99 seats. This is a notable decline for the BJP compared to its 2019 performance, where it won 303 seats, and the 282 seats it held in 2014. On the other hand, Congress saw substantial growth, improving its count from 52 seats in 2019 and 44 seats in 2014 to 99 seats in 2024.
The INDIA bloc, an amalgamation of various opposition parties, crossed the 230 mark. This result not only defied exit poll predictions but also presented a formidable challenge to the BJP, which, despite securing the Prime Minister’s third term, will now have to depend more heavily on coalition partners.
. Among these key allies are Nitish Kumar, the JD (U) chief, and Chandrababu Naidu of the TDP.
Falling 32 seats short of the 272 majority mark, the BJP faces the challenge of coalition dynamics for the first time since it swept to power in 2014 with a secure majority. This political shift has necessitated strategic adaptations and recalibrations for governance. Despite the shortfall, Prime Minister Modi has laid claim to forming the next government, underlining his intent to continue with his administration’s vision and mission.
In his address at the BJP headquarters, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to the electorate for their support and reaffirmed the NDA’s commitment to forming its third successive government. He framed the victory as a mandate for development and the inclusivity of ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ (Collective Efforts, Inclusive Development), along with a strong adherence to India’s Constitution.
“On this sacred day, it is confirmed that NDA is forming the government for the third time. We are grateful to the people; they reposed full faith in the BJP and NDA. This is the victory of the world’s largest democracy, it is a victory of strong faith in India’s Constitution, and it is a victory of the resolve of Viksit Bharat. It is the victory of ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’,” Prime Minister Modi declared, addressing the nation.
Today’s scheduled meetings by both political giants – the NDA and the INDIA bloc – are set to delineate the contours of Indian politics for the forthcoming years. The NDA’s objective will be to consolidate its position and build on its existing coalition framework, while the INDIA bloc will strategize on leveraging its newfound strength to influence legislative agendas and national policies.
The day ahead promises intense deliberations and strategic initiatives as both sides brace for a politically charged future. In the grander scheme, the Indian democratic process is set to witness dynamic shifts, reinforcing the ever-evolving nature of electoral politics in the world’s largest democracy.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)
