Elections 2024: Without Support from Key States, BJP Would Have Fallen Below 200 Seats
In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the BJP faced its biggest setback in Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state. Of the 80 seats, BJP secured only 33. However, several states gave their unwavering support to the ruling party. Without this support, the BJP would have struggled to reach 200 seats.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election results are in, and BJP has taken a significant hit. While the party previously secured a majority on its own, this time it fell short of 250, ending up with 240 seats. Nonetheless, the BJP-led NDA managed to surpass the majority mark, achieving 292 seats, compared to 352 in the 2019 elections when BJP alone won 303 seats.
BJP's major losses were in Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Rajasthan, and Haryana. In Uttar Pradesh, the party won 33 seats, down from 64 in 2019. Similarly, in Bengal, BJP's seats dropped to 12 from 17. Rajasthan saw BJP fall to 14 seats, losing 10, and in Haryana, they won only 5 out of 10 seats, having previously won all 10.
Congress' Stronghold in Madhya Pradesh Falls
In contrast, Madhya Pradesh voters showed strong support for the BJP, giving it a clean sweep with 29 out of 29 seats. Kamal Nath's stronghold in Chhindwara fell, with BJP's Bunty Sahu defeating former CM Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath by over 100,000 votes.
Chhattisgarh's Overwhelming Support
Chhattisgarh also saw significant support for BJP, which won 10 out of 11 Lok Sabha seats. Congress managed to retain only the Korba seat, won by Jyotsna Mahant. In the previous election, BJP secured 9 seats in Chhattisgarh.
Gains and Losses in Gujarat
Gujarat continued to back the BJP, which won 25 out of 26 seats, though it did lose one seat to Congress. The Banskatha seat went to Congress's Jeniben Thakor. Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains a BJP stronghold.
Strong Support in Odisha
Odisha voters also supported the BJP strongly, awarding it 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats. BJP's vote share exceeded 45%, a significant gain from the 8 seats won in 2019.
Clean Sweeps in Delhi, Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh
Delhi voters repeated their support, giving BJP all seven seats. Similar clean sweeps were seen in Himachal Pradesh (all four seats), Uttarakhand (all five seats), and Arunachal Pradesh (both seats).
Conclusion
Had states like Odisha, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand not supported the BJP, the party’s seat count would likely have fallen below 200. This demonstrates the crucial role these states played in the BJP's overall performance in the 2024 elections.