Power Politics and Alliances: India Braces for Critical Assembly Elections with Eye on 2024 Parliament Polls

Nothing can be predicted in the game of chess that who loses or wins. Similarly, in the game of politics, numbers are more important. The country has been witnessing the power politics in the shape of coalitions/alliances since 1989, but in the 2014 and 2019 Parliament Elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) itself won a simple majority and with the alliance, the seats crossed more than 300. In 2014, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 336 seats, with BJP securing 282 seats.

Similarly, in 2019, BJP increased its tally of seats to 303, while NDA won 353 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed NDA as "New India, Developed Nation, Aspiration of People of India." BJP-led NDA has 38 political parties in its alliance, whereas in the past, Congress-led alliance UPA (United Progressive Alliance), now known as "INDIA" (Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance), has 26 opposition parties in its alliance. There are a few political parties that have not yet opened their cards to which alliance they are interested in. Bahujan Samaj Party, Biju Janata Dal, Janata Dal (Secular), Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Indian National Lok Dal, and a few others are in the pipeline to decide their alliance moves with seat adjustments.

India will be witnessing Assembly Elections this year in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. It is more important for BJP in these elections to win, as the results of these assemblies can reflect on the future Parliament Elections in 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP National President J.P. Nadda are taking these coming Assembly Elections to various states seriously.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after visiting the United States of America where he was given a warm welcome by U.S. President Joe Biden and his visit to France and the Middle East, has further strengthened India's foreign policy on the global stage. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stewardship, India has touched new heights of development in every section and field of society. India's economy is being boosted under his able guidance, and even the roads and infrastructure of national highways are built to international specifications, along with the introduction of fast-running trains "Vande Bharat." India has achieved success in the science and technology field, with the latest mission to the Moon through the successful launching of Chandrayaan-3, which will land in the month of August 2023 on the Moon. Western countries are currently in a mood to sign agreements of commerce and trade with India.

It is a million-dollar question whether Narendra Modi is a charismatic leader throughout the globe in regard to his popularity. As his campaigning will certainly yield positive results in these Assembly Elections, India, under the able leadership of Narendra Modi, is heading towards becoming a developed country very soon. Making India self-sufficient in food grains, purchasing the latest defense equipment, and promoting "Make in India" defense equipment have made India stronger in defense services.
The new alliance name of UPA to INDIA has put the alliance cadre workers in a jubilant mood after Congress registered its victories in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. Whatever may be the outcome of the 2023 Assembly Elections, the results of these states can reflect the outcome of the 2024 Parliament Elections as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana are pivotal states. Rajasthan has 25 Parliament Seats, Madhya Pradesh 29 Parliament Seats, Telangana 17 Parliament Seats, and Chhattisgarh 11 Parliament Seats. The total number of Parliament seats in these four states is 82.

PUNJAB POLITICS
With the change of guards in Punjab BJP, appointing Sunil Jakhar as its Chief, there are numerous questions in the minds of BJP whether S.A.D.(B) can also become an alliance partner of N.D.A. or not? BJP Punjab Chief Sunil Jakhar is on a hurricane tour of Punjab, having direct interaction with the BJP cadre. As BJP workers are in a jubilant mood after the announcement of Sunil Jakhar, the reason being his stronghold in the Malwa Belt and in Majha, where he has previously represented Gurdaspur Parliament Seat (Lok Sabha). BJP should signal its leaders to start their ground-level work in the constituencies where the party is preparing to announce its candidate.

FLOOD-EFFECT
The heavy rains in various parts of the country have flooded the rivers, causing heavy losses to property and the agriculture sector. Now is the time to announce relief to the affected masses in the form of an economic package.

Authored by:
Rajat Kumar Mohindru,
Senior Journalist,
Jalandhar City.