With every exit poll predicting a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India anticipates the outcome of the world’s largest democratic festival – the Lok Sabha elections of 2024.
If the BJP emerges victorious, several records are set to be shattered.
Modi’s triumph in 2024 would not only mark the BJP’s all-time best but also India’s greatest electoral triumph.
Amid several speculations like whether the BJP will achieve the 400-seat mark, if the Congress can sustain its two-decade-long dominance in the Raebareli seat, or if the Congress’s first non-Gandhi candidate can reclaim Amethi by defeating incumbent Smriti Irani, there are three records that the BJP and PM Modi are poised to claim upon crossing the majority threshold.
Modi, like Nehru’s
If the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) or BJP secure a clear majority, PM Modi may become the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to clinch a third consecutive term in office. Nehru, who served as Prime Minister of India from 1947 until 1964, won successive terms after the Congress party triumphed in the first general elections of 1951-52, followed by victories in 1957 and 1962.
In a recent interview with NDTV, PM Modi addressed the possibility, stating, “In Gujarat, analysts used to write ’longest-serving Chief Minister of the state.’ It’s the job of the analysts…You should not compare how many terms but should evaluate how much India has progressed during Modi’s term.” Calling it a ‘journey’, he expressed confidence, saying, “Modi will win thrice, five times, or even seven times. I have the blessings of 140 crore people of India, so this will go on.”
BJP’s Big One
If BJP witnesses an increase in its vote share in this election, it could become the only national party to experience a rise in vote share in three consecutive Lok Sabha polls.
The party’s vote shares stood at 31.34% and 37.4% in 2014 and 2019, respectively.
In comparison, Nehru’s Congress secured 45%, 47%, and 44% of the vote share in the first 3 elections held in 1952, 1957, and 1962, respectively.
Modi’s Dominance in Varanasi
PM Modi secured the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for the first time in 2014, with a margin of 371,784 votes, defeating his nearest rival, Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal.
In 2019, Modi retained the constituency, with his winning margin increasing to 479,505 votes, defeating his nearest rival Shalini Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. His vote share rose to 63.62% during this time.
For the 2024 elections, 41 candidates initially filed their nomination papers for the Varanasi constituency, with seven candidates ultimately passing the scrutiny process. They are: Ajay Rai(53) from Congress, Ather Jamal Lari (70) from Bahujan Samaj Party, Kolisetty Shiva Kumar (46) from Yuga Thulasi Party, Gagan Prakash Yadav (39) from Apna Dal (Kameravadi) candidate, Dinesh Kumar Yadav (39) as independent candidate, Sanjay Kumar Tiwari (49) as independent candidate.
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3 records that may break if BJP secures ‘landslide’ victory in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections