Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has characterized the 2024 Lok Sabha election results as a significant transformation in Indian politics, suggesting that the Modi government will face challenges in maintaining its majority.
In an interview with the UK's Financial Times, Gandhi remarked, “A tectonic shift has taken place in Indian politics. The numbers are fragile, and even a small disturbance can unsettle the government.”
In the 2024 elections, the opposition INDIA bloc exceeded expectations by winning 234 out of 543 seats, with a notable performance in Uttar Pradesh. Congress achieved its best result in 15 years, securing 99 seats. Meanwhile, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 293 seats, earning a third term in office. However, the BJP itself fell short of a majority, securing only 240 seats.
Gandhi highlighted internal unrest within Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s camp and hinted at potential defections. “There are individuals within the government who are in contact with us,” he said, suggesting that the government’s stability is at risk if just one ally shifts allegiance.
Describing the election results as a rejection of the BJP's divisive politics, Gandhi stated, "The Indian people have rejected the politics of hatred and anger in this election."
During the campaign, Prime Minister Modi made controversial remarks about the Muslim community and alleged that a Congress-led government would allocate jobs and quotas meant for marginalized groups to other communities. The INDIA bloc, however, gained support from Dalits by emphasizing fears that a larger BJP majority might lead to constitutional amendments stripping them of their benefits.
Gandhi argued that the strategies that worked for the BJP in previous elections no longer hold sway. “The party that focused on Ayodhya has been defeated in Ayodhya,” he noted, adding, “The core idea of the BJP — creating religious hatred — has collapsed.”