After a prolonged seven-phase Elections, extensive campaigning amid a scorching heatwave, and problematic predictions of the exit polls, the 18th Lok Sabha Election Results are finally out. The major parties that contested the Elections were the NDA, led by the BJP and the INDIA Bloc led by the INC. The BJP leaders made repetitive claims to win 400 seats in the 543-seat Lok Sabha. But the result did not turn out so well for them. The NDA alliance acquired a total of 293 seats while the INDIA group stood at 232 seats. For now, the NDA alliance has reaffirmed faith in Narendra Modi’s leadership but the discussions around their associated conditions are still underway. This Election is monumental because it witnessed several significant victories instead of a predominant triumph. Let’s take a look at the real emerging winners:
SAMAJWADI PARTY
Just when the BJP’s glory in Uttar Pradesh had started to look insurmountable, the final election numbers disillusioned the idea. Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party single-handedly acquired 37 seats in UP and a total of 43 seats in their coalition with the Congress. With that, his party became the single largest party in UP and the third largest party in the country, after BJP and Congress. Akhilesh and Rahul revived their “UP ke ladke” image from the 2017 alliance to strengthen the dynamic in their favour. Out of the 62 seats that SP contested, 27 seats were given to OBC candidates, 5 to Yadavs (all to Yadav family members), 15 to Dalits, 4 to Muslims and 11 to upper caste leaders. Akhilesh’s triumph over the Faizabad seat, including Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir, added to his startling success.
TDP (TELUGU DESAM PARTY)
One of the most important allies for the BJP, in NDA, happens to be Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP (Telugu Desam Party). Out of the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies the party contested, they won 16. Naidu’s political dominance was evident in the state assembly elections as well, where his party acquired 133 out of 175 seats, ensuring his fourth term as the Chief Minister. His stance for the next five years will be crucial for the newly formed Central Government. While his alliance is set to form the government, Naidu has several demands –
- Special Category Status for the state of Andhra Pradesh
- Funds for Amaravati Capital City
- Cabinet Ministries for his party leaders (including his son)
JANTA DAL (UNITED)
Through the course of his career, Nitish Kumar has developed a reputation for switching alliances. Just before the Elections, Nitish Kumar left the INDIA Bloc, despite being one of its founding members, to join the NDA alliance. The final election numbers have made him one of the most crucial allies of the NDA alliance. His party, the Janta Dal (United), has acquired 12 seats. These numbers are crucial to NDA’s third term as the incumbent power of the country. Nitish Kumar, a veteran of coalition politics, is known to flip the narrative when he feels sidelined or dissatisfied. For now, he has extended his support to the BJP and Narendra Modi while keeping a few conditions in mind –
- Two Cabinet berths
- Special Category Status for the state of Bihar
- One MoS role and party resources
The Conclusion
The newly elected MPs of both alliances are set to enter the Parliament. The BJP-led NDA alliance is expected to claim the government with each ally in the coalition, having a significant role to play. The INDIA Bloc, on the other hand, has decided against staking claim to form the government and is more inclined towards building a stronger opposition.
Inputs: Agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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