The 2024 Indian general election RAHUL GANDHI vs NARENDRA MODI

                                              THE INDIA GENERAL ELECTION  2024




THE 2024 Indian general election, which began on April 19, is nearing its conclusion with the sixth phase of voting currently underway. This phase includes crucial constituencies in Delhi and other northern states. The election is being conducted in seven phases, with the final phase scheduled for June 1, and vote counting set for June 4​ (Al Jazeera)​​.

The election pits the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) spearheaded by the Indian National Congress (INC). Modi's BJP is seeking to extend its decade-long governance with a third consecutive term​ (Al Jazeera)​.

A significant aspect of this election is the BJP's challenge in southern India, where it has historically struggled to gain traction. The BJP has focused efforts on states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, though analysts suggest its Hindu majoritarian politics are less appealing in these regions due to higher development indices and historical resistance to communal polarization​ (Al Jazeera)​.

Approximately 968 million voters are eligible to participate in this massive democratic exercise, an increase of about 150 million from the last election in 2019. The Election Commission of India has implemented various measures to ensure accessibility and security, including home voting for elderly and disabled voters and the use of over 5.5 million electronic voting machines​ (Wikipedia)
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major Political Players and Alliances


  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP remains a formidable force. The party's popularity is bolstered by its extensive welfare schemes and development projects​ (Carnegie Endowment)​​ (Hindustan Times)​.
  • Indian National Congress (INC): Led by Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party is striving to regain its footing by forming alliances with regional parties and focusing on key social issues like unemployment and inflation​ (Carnegie Endowment)​​ (Hindustan Times)​.
  • Opposition Alliances: The opposition parties, including the Congress, are forming coalitions to challenge the BJP's dominance. Key regional parties, such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), are crucial in these alliances​ (Carnegie Endowment)​​ (India Today)​.

Key Issues and Strategies

  • Economic Concerns: Economic issues such as inflation, unemployment, and agricultural distress are at the forefront. The BJP has emphasized its economic management and welfare schemes like direct cash transfers and subsidies​ (Carnegie Endowment)​​ (India Today)​.
  • Social Media and Misinformation: Social media will play a significant role, with both opportunities for engagement and challenges related to misinformation. Efforts to combat fake news and promote media literacy are essential for maintaining fair elections​ (Heinrich Böll Stiftung | India Office)​.
  • Caste Dynamics: The BJP has strategically targeted the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), which constitute a large voter base. The opposition is attempting to leverage the findings of recent caste censuses to highlight issues of representation and equity​ (Carnegie Endowment)​.

Projections and Challenges

  • BJP's Advantage: Pollsters generally agree that the BJP has a strong starting position due to its organizational strength and Modi's popularity. However, the party faces challenges in states where it has not historically been dominant​ (India Today)​​ (Hindustan Times)​.
  • Opposition's Task: The opposition needs to overcome internal divisions and present a united front. Their success will depend on their ability to address key voter concerns and effectively counter the BJP's narrative​ (Carnegie Endowment)​​ (India Today)​.

Overall, the 2024 elections will be a test of India's democratic processes, with high stakes for all major political entities involved. The outcome will significantly influence the country's direction in the coming years.

ARTICLE written by Shahid Saif

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