Can we say, Modi will avoid 2029 battle ???? Why it is important to note that Modi's "election and partial win" in 2024 is still commendable !!!!! In elections this year, voters are in a foul mood ....worldwide

After being a marginal force in India’s politics for decades, the BJP has proven itself to be a force to be reckoned with. 

The Congress Party, which has led most governments in India’s post-independence history, won less than half the seats that the BJP secured. 

The world of Indian politics may be fickle but the BJP is here to stay. --- an article in Chathamhouse.org

Narendra Modi’s weakened position after 2024 makes it less likely that he will stand for a fourth term in 2029. 

India’s 'shock election' result is a setback for Narendra Modi but a sure win for Indian people and the faith they have on Democracy

From South Korea to Poland to Argentina, incumbents in power have been ousted in election after election. 

Voters are angry and are in foul mood worldwide, they say.

Voters in South Africa who are reeling from deep poverty, inequality and unemployment handed a historic defeat to the African National Congress.

Notably, this is for the first time, the ANC has lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since apartheid ended 30 years ago. 

In Latin America alone, leaders and their parties had lost 20 elections in a row.  

Take the debate to a different plane ---  

** The decision by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to leave D-Day commemorations in northern France early has caused a political storm that threatens to derail his Conservative Party’s general election campaign. 

##  Mexico’s outgoing president vows to pursue changes to Constitution despite market nervousness

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Your time is up, Italy’s hard-right leader tells EU center parties as she votes in European election 

Just 'google' and you will find that : 

The political impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is the influence that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on politics around the world. 

The pandemic has affected the governing and political systems of multiple countries, reflected in states of emergency,[1] suspensions of legislative activities, isolation or deaths of multiple politicians and reschedulings of elections due to fears of spreading the virus. 

The pandemic has triggered broader debates about political issues such as the relative advantages of democracy and autocracy, how states respond to crises, politicization of beliefs about the virus. 

The fact Modi has survived is not going down well with a large section of his detractors and especially in the opposition camp. 

At least 84 countries had declared a state of emergency in response to the pandemic, which led to fears about misuse of power.

Reporters Without Borders has claimed that 38 countries have restricted freedom of the press as a result.

Other examples include banning mass protests, postponing elections or holding them while the opposition cannot effectively campaign, selectively enforcing lock down rules on political opponents, handing out relief payments to political supporters, or scapegoating minorities.

Many countries have also unveiled large-scale surveillance programs for contact tracing, leading to worries about effects on privacy.  

In India, therefore a genuine 2024 post-poll argument would be the 'unexpected outcome' of India’s election has reasserted the unpredictable nature of its politics – and the strength and resilience of its democracy.

 

Crucial pointers :::


** While the Modi government had tried to leverage India’s rising global status and its Hindu nationalist credentials during the election campaign, local livelihood issues ultimately proved decisive for voters. Then we had Muslim polarisation.   

Given Narendra Modi’s central role as the face of the party during the election, the results show it was a mixed, complex and fractured mandate. It has damaged the Modi brand. 

**

Democracy remains strong and cannot be easily overturned in a country as large and diverse as India.

***  Although India will continue to pursue an assertive foreign policy, it will perhaps be a slightly muted version. -- chathamhouse