In a surprising turn of events, India's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lost its absolute majority and now depends on coalition partners to form a government. The opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party, has made unexpected gains and has not ruled out talks with Modi's coalition partners. This shift has led to the Indian stock market suffering its worst losses in four years.
Modi, who declared himself the victor in the general election, originally set a high standard for success by aiming to win more than 400 of the 543 seats in the lower house. However, the BJP-led coalition fell short of this goal. Modi's election campaign heavily relied on a personality cult centered around his image and a Hindu nationalist agenda. Despite high expectations, Modi now finds himself weakened compared to his previous two terms.
The opposition camp had a better-than-expected showing, which they hailed as a victory for democracy. Rahul Gandhi stated, 'I am extremely proud of the people of India,' emphasizing that the nation had clearly shown its rejection of Modi as head of government. Critics like political scientist Sumit Ganguly from Indiana University highlighted concerns about the erosion of democracy during Modi's tenure, suggesting that another term could further jeopardize India's democratic health.
Modi's Hindu nationalist policies have increasingly marginalized Muslims and other religious minorities, treating them as second-class citizens. This approach has been at odds with the secular vision of India's founding father, Mahatma Gandhi. Despite economic gains over the past decade, including infrastructure development and technological advancements, challenges such as high unemployment and inflation persist, affecting millions of Indians.
Despite these issues, Modi still enjoys considerable support among Hindu nationalists, who view him as a defender of their faith. However, his government faces allegations of using state organs to silence opposition, with several politicians detained on corruption charges during the election campaign. Modi's administration has also been criticized for undermining the independence of the judiciary and media.
As India increasingly gains significance on the global stage, its relations with countries like the USA and Germany have strengthened. Yet, critics argue that these nations overlook India's neutral stance on the Ukraine war and its strong ties with Russia. Vote counting in the election saw around 66.3% of the 968 million registered voters participating, showcasing the strength of Indian democracy despite the challenges it faces.
- Viable coalition partnerships will be crucial for Modi moving forward. Rahul Gandhi's Congress party's openness to negotiations with Modi's coalition partners opens new dynamics in Indian politics. Modi's past successes in 2014 and 2019 had built expectations of another landslide victory, which did not materialize.
- The use of electronic voting machines has expedited the vote-counting process, minimizing human error and decreasing counting time. This efficiency is crucial in a country with an electorate of nearly one billion people.
- Human rights organizations have long criticized Modi's rule for threatening democratic norms in India, specifically pointing to his administration's treatment of religious minorities and political opponents. These issues remain a significant concern as Modi pursues a third term.
- India’s significant voting turnout, despite high temperatures and logistical challenges, highlights the resilience and commitment of Indian voters. Incidents of violence were minor, according to officials, contrasting with the generally peaceful election process.
