The recent outcome of India’s 2024 election has captured the world’s attention. After weeks of voting and massive mobilization, India is on the verge of choosing a new leader, ending a decade of governance under the era of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The election has become a veritable referendum on the leadership of Modi and his right-wing nationalist party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is seeking a supermajority in parliament. This strengthened majority would further consolidate its Hindu nationalist agenda, plunging India in a direction away from its secular foundations.
With a population of 1.4 billion people and a booming economy, the outcome of this election will have an impact far beyond India’s borders, attracting the attention of countries like the United States, China and Russia.
The election campaign exposed deep divisions within Indian society, between Modi’s supporters and an opposition coalition led by the main rival party, the Congress Party. The latter defends ideals aimed at reducing inequalities and preserving the country’s democratic institutions.
Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has managed to build unprecedented popularity thanks to a range of development programs and social assistance, while promoting an assertive Hindu nationalism in a country where around 80% of the population practices this polytheistic religion.
Despite India’s economic and technological successes under Modi’s government, deep inequalities persist, including poverty and youth unemployment, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, critics point to growing religious polarization, fueled by a climate of Islamophobia that marginalizes the country’s Muslim community.
The conduct of the elections, which mobilized nearly 1 billion voters for 543 seats in parliament, fueled tensions and sparked controversy. Modi’s ambition is to win an overwhelming supermajority of 400 seats, a goal that has drawn criticism over his divisive and potentially Islamophobic rhetoric.
Facing a bitter opponent, the Congress Party is struggling to regain its political relevance, having been a major player in India’s struggle for independence. Despite the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, a member of the famous Gandhi dynasty, the party struggled to establish itself in the face of Modi’s growing popularity.
Beyond national issues, this election in India raises essential questions about the future of the world’s largest democracy, its cultural identity and its vision of the future. The outcome of this vote will determine the path that India takes in the years to come, shaping its role on the international stage and its impact on the lives of millions of citizens.