Elections for the 18th Lok Sabha commenced on Friday across 21 Indian states, encompassing 102 seats out of the 545-member house. Despite voters turning out in the scorching heat across much of the country, with an overall voting rate exceeding 60 percent, there was a noticeable absence of any indication of a Modi wave.
The first phase of the seven-phase polls witnessed contests for eight seats in the politically crucial western Uttar Pradesh, which holds significance for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pursuit of a third consecutive term. In the 2019 elections, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 62 seats in Uttar Pradesh, largely leveraging the military standoff with Pakistan. However, this time, the BJP’s focus on issues like the Ram temple in Ayodhya failed to resonate with voters. Additionally, the Jat farming community, previously supportive of the BJP, is now showing solidarity with fellow farmers in neighboring Haryana and Punjab, highlighting unfulfilled promises by the Modi government.
The absence of a Modi wave was evident in discussions held in Bijnor by The Wire news portal, where participants, including religious and caste representatives, expressed a lack of enthusiasm for Modi compared to previous elections. Even staunch BJP supporters voiced grievances, citing issues such as corruption in the electoral bond scheme and the imprisonment of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
In western Uttar Pradesh, a triangular contest involving the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party, and BJP is underway. The decision of the BSP to contest independently may impact the outcome in favor of certain candidates, rather than a surge in support for Modi. Similarly, reports from Rajasthan suggest a potential contest in several constituencies, contrasting with BJP’s previous dominance.
Observers note that local issues and candidate popularity are overshadowing the Modi factor in many constituencies. While Modi’s influence may still play a role, there’s a perception of a struggle, particularly evident in areas where BJP previously held strong support.
Violence marred polling in West Bengal, with clashes reported between the ruling TMC and BJP, while Manipur and Chhattisgarh saw high voter turnout despite security concerns.
