Lack of Jobs and High Inflation Undermine BJP’s Majority in General Election

A survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS for The Hindu newspaper reveals that voters’ concerns over lack of jobs, high inflation, and falling incomes significantly impacted the outcome of India’s general election, resulting in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) falling short of a majority. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, won only 240 seats, compelling it to rely on regional parties to form a government for the first time.

Despite these setbacks, Modi’s leadership remained a key factor in securing another term for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which garnered 293 seats in the 543-member lower house of parliament, surpassing the 272-seat threshold required for a majority. Modi was appointed leader of the NDA on Wednesday and is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu on Friday to stake his claim to form the government.

The survey, which involved nearly 20,000 voters across 23 of India’s 28 states, highlighted a shift in voter concerns. Before the election, 32% of respondents identified unemployment as their primary worry. This figure dropped to 27% post-election, likely due to campaign promises of job creation. However, concerns about inflation rose from 20% to 30%, reflecting growing discontent with the economic situation.

Decreasing incomes and dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of corruption and scams were also significant issues for voters. Despite these concerns, 21% of respondents chose the BJP for its development efforts, and 20% were motivated by Modi’s leadership—a notable increase from 10% in the pre-poll survey.

One of the BJP’s major campaign highlights, the construction of a grand Hindu temple in Ayodhya, was praised by many voters. However, this did not translate into electoral success in the region, as the party lost the Faizabad seat, which includes Ayodhya. Additionally, the BJP’s performance in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state sending 80 lawmakers to parliament, saw a decline, with its share of seats dropping from 62 to 33 compared to the last election.

As the BJP prepares to form a government with the support of regional parties, the election results underscore the challenges it faces in addressing economic issues and restoring voter confidence in its ability to deliver on its promises.