INDIA bloc makes gains but BJP-led NDA set for third term with 291 seats

SRINAGAR — The INDIA alliance has made a remarkable comeback in several key Hindi heartland states. The Samajwadi Party, a member of the alliance, achieved significant gains in Uttar Pradesh. The bloc also advanced in Rajasthan, Bihar, Haryana, and Jharkhand.

Despite the strong performance of the INDIA alliance, Prime Minister Modi’s BJP-led NDA is poised to secure a third consecutive term in power, though not with the overwhelming majority predicted by various exit polls. Current results and trends suggest the National Democratic Alliance will secure 291 Lok Sabha seats, while the INDIA alliance is expected to tally 234 seats.

This outcome presents a sobering reality for the BJP, which appears to fall short of the majority mark of 272 seats, despite being ready to form the government. This result is in stark contrast to the BJP’s dominant performance in 2019, when it independently secured 303 seats and the NDA crossed the 350-seat threshold.

The BJP has faced significant setbacks in its traditional strongholds of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. However, it has made notable strides in states like Odisha, Telangana, and Kerala, indicating a mixed electoral performance across different regions.

Meanwhile, the unified opposition bloc under the INDIA banner, driven by collective resistance to the BJP’s policies, has secured leads in approximately 230 seats. This coalition has achieved substantial gains across various states, posing a formidable challenge to the BJP’s dominance.