In a resounding triumph during the recent assembly elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has significantly broadened its political influence, now governing in 12 of India’s 28 states. This electoral success solidifies the BJP’s dominance, marking a substantial shift in the political landscape.
The Congress party, on the other hand, has been relegated to ruling only three states—Telangana, where it clinched a victory on Sunday, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, the BJP is part of ruling coalitions in Maharashtra, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Meghalaya.
Examining data spanning from 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, up to December 3, 2023, reveals the remarkable expansion of the BJP’s political footprint. As of December 2023, areas governed by the BJP encompass 58% of India’s land and house 57% of the population. In contrast, Congress-led states cover 41% of the land area with 43% of the population. The BJP’s recent victories in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh set the stage for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Prime Minister Modi, interpreting the state election results as a prelude to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, asserted that the BJP’s “hat-trick” is a testament to the endorsement of his agenda focused on self-reliance, good governance, and transparency.
With this recent win, the BJP now commands nearly half of the 543 Lok Sabha seats. Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), governing in Delhi and Punjab, has ascended to the position of the third-largest national party.
While the Congress secured a victory in Telangana, marking its second win in the south this year, the overall outcome on Sunday is perceived as a setback. The four states where the BJP emerged victorious collectively represent over 160 million voters and contribute 82 seats in the 543-member parliament.
“We consistently maintained our commitment to winning the heartland states,” remarked BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda to Reuters, attributing the results to the party’s sophisticated political strategy and ground-level efforts.
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