The tradition of Indian politics is such that there is an election season almost every year. Even though the country faces Lok Sabha elections once in five years, such a system has not yet been made to have elections in all the states at the same time. So every year some state has to contest elections. This year also, voting for the Legislative Assembly took place in many states of the country and the states elected their representatives. While Congress formed the government by registering victory in Karnataka and Telangana, the Bharatiya Janata Party proved how heavy its upper hand is on the political chessboard by registering victory in the elections of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Modi’s charisma was seen at its peak in the elections held in these three states of North India. The election results of some North-Eastern states were also different this time. The opposition also united and formed an alliance for the 2024 elections.
Trust in Modi and BJP’s massive victory in three states
It is no exaggeration that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most attractive face in the game of politics. His popularity has left many stalwarts of politics far behind. This charm of Modi appealed to the voters in the elections held in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan in November 2023. In these three states, BJP had contested the elections without declaring the chief ministerial face. The entire election campaign in all three states revolved around Prime Minister Modi. It was because of the trust in Modi that Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was very popular and the longest serving Chief Minister due to his schemes, was not declared the face of the Chief Minister in Madhya Pradesh. With the slogan ‘Modi ke man mein Modi hai, Modi ke man mein MP hai’, Modi held several rallies and road shows in this politically crucial state and registered a major victory. BJP also experimented in Chhattisgarh. Relying on Modi’s charisma, she contested the elections without a chief ministerial face and emerged victorious. In Rajasthan, there was said to be a close contest between Congress and BJP. Here Ashok Gehlot took charge from the Congress side, whereas the BJP did not put forward any face for the Chief Ministership. With the confidence that ‘if Modi is there then victory is possible’. Here too Modi lived up to the trust. The result came out as victory in the elections.
BJP rule again in Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh, which is called the heart of the Hindi belt, BJP once again came to power by registering a landslide victory in the elections for 230 assembly seats. While BJP was successful in winning 163 seats with 48.55 percent vote share, Congress was reduced to just 66 seats with 40.40 percent vote share. Bharat Adivasi Party got one seat. Bahujan Samaj Party, which had won two seats in the last elections, could not even open its account this time. This time BJP got 54 more seats as compared to 2018, while Congress had to suffer a loss of 48 seats. As much as the election pundits were surprised by the BJP’s victory in the state, they were equally surprised by the appointment of a new face, Mohan Yadav, as the Chief Minister. Because Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been very popular as the Chief Minister in Madhya Pradesh.
Government changed in Chhattisgarh
The election campaign launched by BJP in Chhattisgarh with the slogan ‘Modi’s Guarantee’ changed the government here. In the two phases of voting for 90 assembly seats, the public showered a lot of love on the BJP. Result: BJP, which was badly defeated by Congress in the last elections, got 54 seats this time. In this way BJP gained 39 seats compared to 2018. Whereas the ruling Congress was reduced to only 35 seats with a loss of 33 seats. One seat went to someone else. While BJP got 46.27 percent votes in the elections, Congress got 42.23 percent. Rubbishing all the speculations, BJP handed over the command of the state to newcomer Vishnu Dev Sai.
BJP hoisted the flag in Rajasthan
Congress had to face defeat in the elections held last month for 199 out of 200 seats of Rajasthan Assembly and lost its government. While BJP won 115 seats with 41.69 percent vote share, Congress fell far short of majority with 69 seats (39.53 percent vote share). Bharat Adivasi Party won three seats, BSP won two and others won two seats. Eight independent candidates also won the election. Compared to the last election, while BJP gained 42 seats, Congress lost 30, BSP four and others lost eight seats. Bhajan Lal Sharma, coming from the background of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was made the new Chief Minister of the state.
Congress ruling for the first time in Telangana
Elections for the 119-member Telangana Assembly were held in November this year. In which Congress performed brilliantly and ousted Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) from power. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now Bharat Rashtra Samithi) was ruling here since the formation of a new state by separating from Andhra Pradesh in the year 2014. But the anti-incumbency wave of the last nine years overshadowed the welfare schemes of BRS and it had to be content with just 39 seats. Congress achieved majority figure with 64 seats. In this way he got the opportunity to rule the state for the first time. Revanth Reddy became the new Chief Minister of the state. While BJP got eight seats in the elections, AIMIM got seven and Congress ally CPI got one seat. In this election, Congress gained 45 seats and BJP gained seven seats. BRS had to suffer the loss of 49 seats.
Historic victory of Congress in Karnataka
Elections were held in May this year for 224 seats of the Karnataka Assembly, in which Congress emerged as the largest party. Unlike 80 seats in 2018, this time Congress got an absolute majority with 135 seats and was successful in forming the government single-handedly in the state. Whereas in 2018, BJP, which was the largest party with 104 seats, was reduced to just 66 seats. Whereas JD (S), which became the kingmaker by winning 37 seats in the last elections, could win only 19 seats. Other parties won four seats. In comparison to the last elections, this year Congress gained 55 seats while others gained one seat. BJP lost 38 seats and JD(S) 18 seats. This election was historic for the Congress, because for the first time since the 1989 elections, it not only registered such a big victory but also got the highest vote share (43.88 percent). Siddaramaiah became the Chief Minister of the state.
G-20 Summit: India moving towards becoming a world leader
From the point of view of Indian diplomacy year 2023 It proved to be a lucky star and G-20 was the country’s diplomatic achievement of the year. Through its G20 presidency, India was able to gather the world’s most influential, powerful and consequential countries around the table and discuss and agree on the most pressing issues concerning the world. The 18th summit of G-20 leaders was held in New Delhi on 9 and 10 September. India changed the format of G20 to G21. Like a world leader, India showed the way to the world and also took everyone along. India announced the Spice Route in the G20 Summit itself. The concept of building a trade route from India to Europe that Prime Minister Modi has presented will pass through West Asia only.