2024 Election Analysis: BJP’s Declining Influence Despite Stable Vote Share
Some pollsters are attempting to minimize the apparent decline of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha election results by drawing attention to the party’s vote share, which has decreased by only 0.7% compared to the 2019 election results. However, despite their expertise as psephologists, they are overlooking the fact that gauging a political party’s popularity and success solely by its overall vote share in a first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system can indeed be simplistic and misleading.
Delhi Police Charge Assaulted Journalists as Accused
In a troubling turn of events linked to an August 2020 assault on journalists from The Caravan magazine, Delhi Police have now designated these same journalists as accused in a related criminal case. The journalists – Shahid Tantray, Prabhjit Singh and a female reporter – were attacked by a mob in northeast Delhi, which included communal slurs and threats of murder. The female journalist was also subjected to sexual harassment during the incident.
Cow Vigilantes Lynch Two Young Men in Chhattisgarh
Two Muslim men were beaten to death by cow vigilantes while transporting buffaloes in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on June 7, as reported by News18 Hindi. The attack occurred just three days after the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results, which are widely being viewed as a rejection of the use of communal issues in politics.
India’s Economy Disappoints Rural Population: Takeaway #3 from the 2024 Election Results
The mood is sombre among the members and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite their “victory” in the national election. Although they won, the party did not secure enough seats to form a government without relying its coalition. The outcome fell short of their expectations and claims of overwhelming popularity. And the voters who provided a reality check on their actual popularity primarily reside in rural areas, as indicated by the election results. These individuals, who constitute the majority of the Indian populace, were anticipated by the BJP to remain mere spectators to India’s projected economic advancements.
The End of the ‘Modi Era’: Takeaway #2 from the 2024 Election Results
The 2024 election results in India indicate several significant changes in the nation’s political landscape, one notable shift being the steep decline in the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been the only face of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Hindutva’s Decline in Indian Politics: Takeaway #1 from the 2024 Election Results
The 2024 election results have dealt a significant blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), shattering its confidence in its ability to mobilise voters using its Hindutva ideology, which promotes Hindu nationalism and marginalises religious minorities. This shift is reflected in the overall results of the election, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, including Ayodhya, a city central to the party’s Hindutva agenda.
2 Major Issues with Election Commission’s Decision to Not Act Against BJP, Congress Leaders
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar told Scroll.in that it was the decision of the Election Commission to refrain from taking action against the top two leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party, despite apparent violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). This unprecedented – and unworthy-of-precedence – decision brings to light two major issues that challenge the core principles of our democratic system.
All Eyes on India’s Independent Media After Election Results
According to exit polls released on Saturday night, two days before the announcement of the results, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to be headed for a victory. However, the actual results could still hold surprises, likely to be welcomed by many. Regardless of which party or coalition forms the government, the focus over the next five years should be on the media, with the expectation that news outlets will choose to remain, or become, independent again, advocating for the well-being of the ordinary citizen.
10 Things the Government Says It Can’t Tell You
The central government frequently responded with “no data” to parliamentary questions concerning at least 10 vital issues, according to an analysis by IndiaSpend. Between 2015 and 2023, out of 35 key questions regarding health, education and public safety, the government claimed that data was not maintained in 17 instances.
Cyclone Remal's Aftermath Claims Nearly 60 Lives in Northeast India
Floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Remal have claimed nearly 60 lives and affected hundreds of thousands of people in the northeastern states of Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya. As many of these states have regions that are difficult to access and telecommunication can be challenging during disasters, it is likely that the death toll will rise in the coming days.
India is One of the World’s Most Unequal Countries, But There’s a Solution
A recent study, titled “Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: The Rise of the Billionaire Raj,” has brought to light the alarming levels of inequality in the country. The authors of the report – economists from New York University, Paris School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School – have now written a follow-up note in a journal, to propose remedies: a wealth tax and redistribution policies to mitigate inequality and promote equitable growth.
80 Million Workers Delisted from MGNREGS in 2 Years: Report
As many as 80 million registered workers have been delisted from the central government’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) over the past two years, according to a report by two civil society groups.
Why Majority of Indians Don’t Have Sufficient, Safe and Nutritious Food
Nearly 74% of Indians could not afford a healthy diet in 2021, according to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023 report. In late 2021 and early 2022, 80% of respondents in a survey conducted by the Right to Food Campaign reported facing food insecurity, with almost half having run out of food the previous month. So, why do the majority of Indians not have sufficient, safe, and nutritious food? In an interview with IndiaSpend, economist Reetika Khera explained some possible reasons.
Free Bus Ride in Karnataka Empowering Women and Uniting Families
In Karnataka, a free bus ride program for women is not only improving access to healthcare and enabling stronger family connections but also overcoming longstanding hurdles that have restricted women’s freedom to travel, according to a new study.
Is the BJP Now Dividing Sikhs and Muslims?
After attempting to deepen the divide between sections of the Hindu and Muslim communities, as well as between North and South Indians, the BJP is now seeking to create a rift between Sikhs and Muslims through a social media ad. The ad does not mention the party’s accomplishments but instead aims to instil fear about the opposition Congress party with the claim that it is anti-Sikh.
Demolitions Made Nearly 280,000 Homeless in Delhi in 2023
A recent report revealed that at least 278,796 people lost their homes due to government-ordered evictions in Delhi in 2023, as noted by Article 14. The widespread nature of the evictions demonstrates a critical failure of governing political parties and judicial systems to uphold the right to housing for Delhi’s most vulnerable populations.
Why Voter Turnout Data Matters in Democracy
The Supreme Court, on May 24, refused to direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish Form 17C data – polling station-wise voter turnout – on its website within 48 hours of the conclusion of polling for each phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The ECI’s refusal is raising significant concerns among citizens and stakeholders in the electoral process. To understand why this issue is critical, it’s essential to grasp the role of Form 17C and the implications of not making this data publicly available.
Civil Society Groups Say They Don’t Trust Election Commission
More than 120 civil society organisations convened in Bengaluru city to develop an action plan to safeguard India’s democracy, expressing deep concerns about the Election Commission’s (EC) perceived failures and potential vote manipulation on counting day. The gathering, held under the banner of “Wake up Karnataka,” included activists, former bureaucrats and experts who highlighted the EC's shortcomings and proposed measures for accountability.
Why Are Foreign Companies Disinvesting in India?
Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India has seen a significant decline, dropping to $26.6 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This marks a 37% decrease from the previous fiscal year and represents the lowest level of FDI since 2006-07, according to an analysis by ThePrint.
BJP Used Millions in Taxpayer Money to Promote Election Slogans
A media report points to the use of taxpayer money by the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) to fund advertisements that closely mirror the campaign slogans of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This expenditure of nearly 387 million rupees by the CBC, a non-partisan government body, blurs the lines between state and party, thereby undermining the principles of democratic fairness and institutional integrity.