The recent Indian election results have shattered the aura of invincibility surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite securing a third consecutive term as prime minister and his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.), gaining the most seats, the victory was not the landslide that was expected.
The B.J.P. lost dozens of seats, putting them in a position where they need coalition partners to stay in power. This unexpected turn of events has shown that there are limits to Modi’s political potency, even as he made the election about himself.
As the results came in, the country’s stock markets plunged, opposition parties celebrated, and India learned that Modi’s carefully cultivated brand may have peaked. The question now is how Modi will react – will he double down on his efforts to maintain power, or will he be more moderate in working with coalition partners who do not share his ideology?
While Modi has been praised for his infrastructure projects and efforts to raise India’s global profile, critics point to his increasingly authoritarian tendencies and his marginalization of the Muslim minority. His critics also argue that his economic policies have primarily benefited the wealthy.
The election results also marked a turnaround for the Indian National Congress, the main opposition party, which had been struggling in recent years. By focusing on issues like unemployment and social justice, the Congress and its coalition partners were able to gain traction against Modi’s government.
Overall, the election results have shown that Modi’s grip on power may not be as firm as once thought. With the need for coalition partners and a more united opposition, the next five years of Modi’s leadership will likely be more challenging than before.
