Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a third term on June 4, but the BJP will need the support of allies as they fell 32 seats short of the 272-seat majority in the Lok Sabha. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 286 seats, while the Congress-led INDIA bloc won 231 seats. The Congress increased its tally to 99 seats from 52 in 2019, and the BJP won 240 seats.
The BJP faced significant setbacks in key strongholds like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and struggled to make headway in southern states and West Bengal. However, the BJP celebrated its first-ever victory in Odisha, winning 19 out of 21 seats. In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress's alliance with the Samajwadi Party resulted in 44 seats, cutting the BJP’s count to 35 from 62 in 2019. Conversely, in Bihar, the Congress-RJD alliance did not perform as well, allowing the NDA to maintain its hold.
The election results necessitate a more consensus-driven approach from the BJP within the NDA. Major allies, TDP and JD(U), will join an NDA meeting on Wednesday, while the INDIA bloc will also convene in New Delhi to strategize.
Key Updates:
- INDIA alliance gains ground in several Hindi heartland States.
- PM Modi acknowledges the support of allies Nitish and Naidu.
- INDIA bloc approaches its electoral goals after a slow start.
- BJP experiences mixed results in its southern strategy.
- Nitish Kumar emerges as a key figure in Bihar.
- TDP commits to NDA, rules out joining INDIA bloc.
- Mamata Banerjee vows to challenge Modi's power.
- INDIA bloc to discuss approaching former partners.