(ZENIT News / Manipur, 12.06.2024).- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a significant setback after the June 4 national elections. For the first time in a decade, his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not win an absolute majority. Nevertheless, Modi will continue to lead the country, at the head of the National Democratic Alliance, which did get the necessary simple majority in Parliament of 543 seats.
The Opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi and his Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, commonly known by its backronym I.N.D.I.A., hampered the BJP’s plans to obtain more than 400 seats. The resistance was especially strong in the northeastern states, where the BJP’s anti-minority policies sparked discontent, notably in Manipur, affected by ethnic and religious conflicts against Christian communities.
Conflicts in Manipur between the Meiteis Hindu communities and the Kiku-Zo Christians has caused more than 220 deaths and over 50,000 displaced people since May of last year. The BJP’s inability to control the ethnic violence damaged its image, reflected in the defeat of its candidates in Manipur’ key electoral districts, especially in the Christian areas (Catholic and Protestant).
The resurgence of the Congress Party was also seen in Nagaland and Meghalaya, where voters punished the BJP’s allies. In Nagaland, the Congress Party’s candidate Supongmeren Jamir, defeated the candidate of the National Democratic Progressive (NDPP) Party, ally of the BJP. In Meghalaya, the loss of Deputy Agatha Sangma of the National Popular Party against Saleng A Sangma of the Congress Party reflected the popular discontent.
In contrast, the BJP maintained its strength in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, obtaining several seats and ensuring a third mandate in the State Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh.
This mixed result highlights the BJP’s need to reconsider its focus, especially in areas where Christian religious and ethnic minorities have a significant presence.
