New Delhi: The Electoral Commission, the apex entity overseeing electoral processes, is on the brink of disclosing the long-expected timetable for the imminent Lok Sabha elections and four state assemblies. The much-anticipated revelation of the electoral dates is poised to signify a noteworthy juncture in the electoral framework.
Declaration for Lok Sabha elections:
In a communication on X, a representative of the ECI conveyed on Friday, “A Press Conference by the Electoral Commission to reveal the agenda for General Elections 2024 and certain State Assemblies is scheduled for 3 pm tomorrow, Saturday, 16th March. The event will be broadcasted live on the ECI’s social media platforms.”
BJP and Congress unveil rosters
To date, the BJP has unveiled two rosters of contenders and has nominated all distinguished figures including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Anurag Thakur, Prahlad Joshi, Nitin Gadkari.
The Congress, currently the principal opposition party, has similarly issued two rosters of contenders for the elections and has nominated former party leader Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad constituency in Kerala. The Congress has also endorsed Nakul Nath, Gaurav Gogoi, KC Venugopal, and Vaibhav Gehlot.
BJP’s sanguinity in clinching a third term:
The BJP, helmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has expressed confidence in securing over 370 seats, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) anticipated to amass more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.
Recap of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections:
Out of 543 seats, 412 seats are allocated for General, 83 for SC, and 47 for ST category. Approximately 91.19 crore voters exercised their franchise in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The count of electors who exercised their constitutional right to vote at the polling stations stood at 61.18 crore, with the polling percentage, excluding postal ballot, registering at 67.1 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
NDA’s victory tally:
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) clinched a substantial 351 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as it ascended to power for the second term. The BJP, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, secured 303 seats. The erstwhile undivided Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackrey and a constituent of the NDA, secured 18 seats. Janata Dal (United) secured 16 seats while Shiromani Akal Dal, under Sukhbir Singh Badal’s leadership, and Apna Dal (Soneylal) each secured two seats.
Subsequently, Shiv Sena bifurcated into two factions – Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), All Jharkhand Students Union, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party secured one seat each.
UPA’s victory count:
The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) managed to secure only 90 seats in the 543-member House. Congress secured the lion’s share with 52 seats, followed by Dravida Munetra Kazhagam (DMK) with 23 seats.
The erstwhile undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar, secured five seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, the party subsequently splintered into two factions – NCP and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).
Indian Union Muslim League secured three seats. Communist Party of India (M) secured two seats, while Janata Dal (Secular), Kerala Congress (M), Revolutionary Socialist Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi managed to secure only one seat each.
NDA’s dominance in states:
The BJP secured all seats (2) in Arunachal Pradesh and 9 out of 14 seats in Assam. The NDA exhibited dominance in Bihar by securing 39 out of 40 seats – with the BJP securing 17 seats, JD (U) securing 16 seats, and Lok Janashakti Party securing six seats.
The BJP secured all 26 seats in Gujarat, all 10 seats in Haryana, and all four seats in Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, the BJP secured 26 out of 28 seats in Karnataka, while the saffron party secured 28 seats out of 29 in Madhya Pradesh.
The NDA secured 41 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra – BJP secured 23 seats and the undivided Shiv Sena secured 18 seats. Similarly, in Rajasthan, the BJP secured 24 out of 25 seats, with its ally RLP securing one seat, resulting in a clean sweep for the NDA.
The BJP also secured both seats in Tripura, while the NDA secured 64 out of a total of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, the BJP secured the solitary seat in Chandigarh and all seven seats in Delhi.
The NDA also secured 12 out of 14 seats in Jharkhand, with the BJP securing 11 seats while its ally AJSU secured one seat. The BJP also exhibited dominance in Chhattisgarh, securing nine out of the total 11 seats.
It was a clean sweep for the BJP in Uttarakhand as well, with the party securing all five seats.
The BJP capitalized on PM Narendra Modi’s charisma in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as it did in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and displaced the UPA from power. Now, all eyes are on the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.