Lok Sabha Election 2024: Modi 3.0 or I.N.D.I.A Shining? Results Today

The resurgent Opposition outperformed the modest expectations raised by exit polls, gaining a strong lead over the NDA alliance led by the BJP. In various battleground states, the BJP is trailing and is yet to open its account in Punjab. However, the losses are being offset in states such as Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and to some extent, Telangana. Voting was conducted for 543 Lok Sabha seats over seven phases, ending on Saturday.

The majority mark is 272, with the counting of votes also taking place for assembly elections in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The opposition-led by Samajwadi Party and the Congress in the INDIA bloc holds a strong lead, countering the predictions of the exit polls. Three exit polls had predicted a 400-plus score for the BJP-led NDA, with the rest varying in the margin of the NDA victory. The success of exit polls in the country has been mixed historically.

The Opposition has highlighted the promises fulfilled, such as the scrapping of Article 370 and the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple. The Opposition’s offensive against the ruling coalition has marked a significant change from the lack of cohesiveness in 2019. The electoral landscape has also witnessed a significant shift, especially in Maharashtra, where NDA ally Shiv Sena parted ways and joined the Opposition ranks. Furthermore, allegations about the use of Central investigative agencies to target key opposition leaders have loomed over the election.