Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Prashant Kishor on Missed Opportunities by Opposition

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Political strategist Prashant Kishor believes the opposition missed several key chances to challenge the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Here are the three main opportunities he highlighted:

1. State Elections in 2015-2016

• Delhi and Bihar Wins: In 2015, the Aam Aadmi Party won in Delhi, and the BJP lost the Bihar elections.
• Limited BJP Success: From late 2015 to mid-2016, BJP only won in Assam, and that too in alliance.
• Congress’s Missed Chance: This period was ripe for a Congress-led comeback as PM Modi’s popularity was still growing post-2014.

2. Post-Demonetisation Period

• Economic Turbulence: The 2016 demonetisation caused significant economic and rural distress.
• Protests and Discontent: There were major protests, including those by the Patels in Gujarat and others in Maharashtra.
• Close Call in Gujarat: In the November 2017 Gujarat elections, BJP barely won by 15 seats, and soon after, they lost in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Lost Momentum: The opposition could have capitalized on BJP’s vulnerabilities from mid-2017 to the end of 2018.

3. Post-Covid-19 Wave in 2021

• Decline in PM’s Ratings: After the second Covid-19 wave, PM Modi’s approval ratings dipped.
• BJP’s West Bengal Loss: BJP lost the West Bengal state elections around this time.
• Inaction by Opposition: The INDIA bloc formed in June 2023, but failed to sustain momentum, wasting critical months.

Conclusion

Prashant Kishor predicts the BJP will win the 2024 elections due to these missed opportunities. The Congress and opposition parties lost valuable time, allowing the BJP to solidify its position.

Upcoming Election Details

• Phases Left: Voting for 49 seats on May 20, with remaining phases on May 25 and June 1.
• Counting Day: All votes will be counted on June 4.
• BJP’s Goal: The BJP-led NDA aims to win 400 seats, seeking a third term under PM Modi.