Mohammad Taukir Rahmani
Sub-editor of Eastern Crescent and Lecturer at MMERC, Mumbai

The 2024 Lok Sabha Election has come to a close, with the NDA-led government, helmed by the BJP, poised to take office for a third consecutive term. However, unlike previous elections, the BJP did not secure a vast majority of seats on its own this time. Consequently, the BJP-led government will rely heavily on its alliance partners and will need to work hard to keep them satisfied, offering them significant posts to ensure their continued support or risk the possibility of a government collapse.

The INDIA alliance parties put forth a considerable effort to form a new government but were ultimately unsuccessful. Securing a large number of seats proved to be a challenging task, exacerbated by ED and CBI raids on major opposition parties and bank account freezes. Despite these hurdles, the INDIA alliance performed admirably and retains a slim chance of forming a government before the next election if they can successfully bring Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu into their fold.

This election has also exposed the hypocritical nature of certain parties and candidates, dispelling persistent rumors about who constitutes the BJP’s ‘B team.’ AIMIM and AIUDF were often mentioned in this context. Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Qasmi, Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi, and Imtiaz Jaleel were prominent voices in Parliament, advocating for the rights of OBC, ST, SC, and other marginalized communities. Sadly, only one of these leaders remains in Parliament. However, one lion can outweigh several packs of wolves, and we firmly stand with our courageous and daring leaders in all circumstances.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) played a crucial role in assisting the BJP by contesting seats that could have been won by the INDIA Alliance or other strong opponents. Despite fielding candidates in 126 constituencies, including its strongholds in Uttar Pradesh and states like Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh, the BSP failed to secure any seats in the Lok Sabha.

For discerning voters, these results should help in recognizing the true nature of the parties and their affiliations.

The outcome of this Lok Sabha election is a mixed bag. Regardless of which party forms the government, the presence of a strong opposition and the lack of a clear majority will likely prevent any repetition of previous authoritarian actions.

The 2024 election has not only shaped the immediate political landscape but has also highlighted the resilience and determination of various political entities. As we move forward, the necessity for collaboration and compromise will be paramount in ensuring a stable and democratic governance.