- Prime Minister Modi seeks a third consecutive term amid tough competition.
- INDIA alliance led by Congress aims to recreate their unexpected 2004 victory.
- Key results from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh assembly elections also anticipated.
Will Modi Secure a Third Term?
In a historic election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is vying for a third consecutive term. The BJP-led NDA faces the newly formed opposition alliance, INDIA, led by the Congress. The counting of votes will commence at 8 am, concluding an 80-day voting marathon. Exit polls suggest a strong performance by the NDA, with predictions indicating a potential increase in seats from the 2019 count of 303 to between 360 and 390. This would put Modi on par with Jawaharlal Nehru’s record of three straight electoral victories.
The INDIA alliance, despite lacking a prime ministerial candidate, remains hopeful of winning 295 seats. They argue that the party with the most seats will naturally claim the prime ministerial position. However, the opposition has raised concerns about potential attempts to influence the counting process, with Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleging intimidation by senior BJP figures.
The Election Commission has dismissed these claims, urging officials to remain impartial and uphold the integrity of the election.
Regional Parties’ Struggle
According to exit polls, regional parties are expected to struggle in this election. In West Bengal, the BJP is projected to narrowly defeat the Trinamool Congress. In Odisha, the BJP is predicted to have a close contest with the ruling party in the assembly elections. In Andhra Pradesh, the NDA, comprising the Telugu Desam, BJP, and Jana Sena Party, is anticipated to win a significant number of seats, potentially unseating the incumbent chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.
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