India Political Round-Up in 2024
The year 2024 has been a whirlwind for Indian politics, marked by significant shifts in power, intense electoral battles, and impactful international events. This article delves into the general and state elections, the sentiment across the nation, and the major political developments that shaped the year.
General Elections 2024: NDA's Narrow Victory
The 2024 Indian general elections were held from April 19 to June 1, with the results declared on June 4. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured 293 seats, a significant drop from their previous tally of 353 seats in 2019. The BJP alone won 240 seats, down from 303 in the last election. This decline was attributed to various factors, including anti-incumbency sentiments and regional dynamics. Despite the reduced majority, Prime Minister Narendra Modi managed to maintain control through strategic alliances within the NDA.
Key Statistics:
Total Seats: 543
NDA: 293 seats
BJP: 240 seats
Indian National Congress (INC): 99 seats
State Assembly Elections: A Mixed Bag
The state assembly elections in 2024 were equally eventful, with several states witnessing changes in power.
Arunachal Pradesh
The elections in Arunachal Pradesh were held on April 19, 2024. The BJP retained power with a comfortable majority, continuing the leadership of Pema Khandu.
Sikkim
Sikkim saw the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) retaining power under the leadership of Prem Singh Tamang, with elections held on April 19, 2024.
Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) made a comeback, winning the elections held on May 13, 2024, and N. Chandrababu Naidu was sworn in as the Chief Minister.
Odisha
Odisha’s elections, held from May 13 to June 1, 2024, saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unseating the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), with Mohan Charan Majhi becoming the new Chief Minister. This marked the end of Naveen Patnaik’s 24-year tenure, a significant shift driven by strong anti-incumbency sentiments and widespread discontent with the dominance of former bureaucrat V.K. Pandian in governance and party affairs.
Jammu & Kashmir
The elections in Jammu & Kashmir, held from September 18 to October 1, 2024, were the first in 10 years. They resulted in the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) forming the government with Omar Abdullah as the Chief Minister.
Haryana
Haryana’s elections on October 5, 2024, saw the BJP retaining power under Nayab Singh Saini. Despite predictions against them, the BJP managed to secure a significant victory, attributed to Saini’s development-focused governance and strategic voter engagement.
Jharkhand
Jharkhand’s elections, held from November 13 to 20, 2024, resulted in a victory for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) led by Hemant Soren.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra’s elections on November 20, 2024, saw the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance securing a landslide victory, with Devendra Fadnavis returning as the Chief Minister. The alliance’s success was driven by their development-focused governance and welfare schemes like the Ladki Bahen Yojana, which significantly boosted their appeal among women voters.
Political Overview: Shifting Sentiments
The political sentiment in India saw significant shifts between the general and state elections. While the NDA managed to retain power at the center, the drop in BJP’s seats indicated a growing discontent among voters. State elections reflected a more localized sentiment, with regional parties making significant gains in states like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Major Bills Passed in Parliament
2024 was also a year of significant legislative activity. Here are some of the major bills passed:
Amendments to the Constitution regarding Scheduled Castes and Tribes
Finance Bill detailing financial proposals
Water Pollution Control Bill
Oilfields Regulation and Development Bill
Aviation Sector Reforms Bill
Boilers Safety Standards Bill
Coastal Shipping Bill
Banking Regulations Amendment Bill
Railways Operations Reform Bill
Waqf Properties Management Bill
Disaster Management Enhancement Bill
Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Goa Assembly Bill
International Affairs: Impact on India
US Elections
The 2024 US presidential election saw Donald Trump returning to power. This has implications for India, particularly in terms of trade and defense cooperation.
Israel vs. Palestine Conflict
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine continued to impact global geopolitics, with India maintaining its stance on a two-state solution.
Russia vs. Ukraine War
The Russia-Ukraine war escalated further in 2024, affecting global energy prices and supply chains, with significant repercussions for India’s economy.
Canada and the Khalistani Issue
Tensions between India and Canada escalated over the Khalistani issue, with allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of a Khalistani leader in Canada.
Bangladesh and Sheikh Hasina
Bangladesh faced significant political turmoil in 2024, with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being ousted and facing charges of crimes against humanity. This has strained relations between India and Bangladesh, particularly over the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Other Notable Political Developments
Priyanka Gandhi’s Parliamentary Debut
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her debut in the Lok Sabha, winning the Wayanad seat with a significant margin. This marked a historic moment for the Gandhi family, with all three members—Sonia, Rahul, and Priyanka—now serving in Parliament.
AAP and the Delhi Liquor Scam
Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), faced significant legal challenges in 2024 due to the Delhi Liquor Scam. The Enforcement Directorate’s investigation led to his arrest, highlighting issues of corruption within the Delhi government.
Conclusion
The year 2024 has been a pivotal one for Indian politics, marked by significant electoral outcomes, legislative developments, and international events. As the nation moves forward, these events will continue to shape the political landscape and influence India’s trajectory on the global stage.
I hope this provides a comprehensive overview! Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to add or modify.
