Although not absolutely correct, the exit polls can be reliable. Most of the exit polls like that of Times Now-VMR, Chanakya, and Jan Ki Baat were almost correct, few figures here and there. Exit polls are conducted before the actual counting of the votes takes place. They predict a possible winner on the basis of the information gained from the voters after they cast their vote.
As predicted by the exit polls, the victory of BJP hasn’t come as a surprise. The party once again has emerged victorious with 303 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats in its basket. BJP has cross passed 50% vote share in 17 states of the country. This is a huge victory for the BJP. On the other hand, the Congress party with only 52 seats is yet again facing a massive defeat.
The BJP has made a remarkable presence in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Delhi. In the last few stages of the Lok Sabha elections, there was a common voice among the public of the BJP not being able to form a majority government this time. The vote count has however proved this voice wrong.
In the previous Lok Sabha elections of 2014, the BJP along with its allies had formed a majority government, however, in 2019, the BJP alone has far crossed the minimum number of seats required to form a majority government. In 2014 BJP has won 282 seats and the whole of NDA had gained 336 seats.
For the Lok Sabha elections, a party or a coalition requires a minimum of 272 seats to form a majority government. This time, BJP alone has won more than 300 seats. Along with the alliance, the number is said to shoot up to a total of 350 seats. The Congress, on the other hand, is only going to have 60 seats coupled with its alliance.
Let us have a look at the reasons that secured Narendra Modi this massive victory:
The NaMo Factor: Just like last time’s ‘Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar’, this time’s ‘Phir Ek bar Modi Sarkar’ has strongly worked in the favor of BJP. From 2014, Narendra Modi has hailed to be a world leader and has garnered love respect and admiration from people all around the world. He has come off as a strong leader who is the protector of his nation and its people.
The Emotional Connection with the poor: A majority of India’s population belongs to the lower income group. Keeping this mind, Narendra Modi has always succeeded in wooing the poor. This worked for him in the 2019 elections as well. His oratory skills have also benefitted the whole of BJP. Through his emotional speeches, time and again reinforced the promise of being there for his people, striving to eradicate poverty, protect the nation, take care of the interests and welfare of the Indian citizens, and driving out corruption from the nation. Not just his speeches but also the schemes that he launched since 2014 like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Make in India, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and so many other initiatives and schemes have brought him a long way among the common people of the nation. Moreover, the ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ campaign was a cherry on the saffron cake.
Surgical Strikes: Whether it was a political strategy or not is a debatable topic. However, these strikes have contributed immensely in once again placing Narendra Modi on the throne of the world’s largest democracy. The Uri and Balakot surgical strike carried out by the Indian army sent across a message among the masses that terrorism and terrorist attacks from Pakistan or any other country won’t be spared and will be answered sternly. This aroused the patriotic sentiments among people.
Congress’s failed strategy: The Congress indeed helped BJP win the elections. The corruption allegation regarding the Rafale deal on Modi and the ‘Chowkidar chor hai’ backfired strongly and invited criticism from people. Additionally, an apology that Congress chief, Rahul Gandhi had to submit as asked by the Supreme Court just gave a strong campaigning point to BJP.
On 23rd May 2019, after the results came out, Narendra Modi from BJP headquarters in New Delhi stated in thanksgiving speech that “India has united to elect us…It is a mandate from New India,” He also said, “There are only two castes in the country now: poverty and people who fight poverty.” Modi promised the citizens of the nation that he will dedicate his life to the people of India.
The main agenda of the BJP government for the upcoming five years is to alleviate poverty. However, along with the issue of poverty, there are many issues in India as well that need to be addressed on an urgent basis.
The coming years will tell us how the BJP government will fare.
