(Image source from: Twitter.com/INCIndia)

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections have brought about a significant shift in India's political landscape, according to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. In an interview with the UK's Financial Times, Gandhi asserted that the Modi government's failure to secure a majority has left it in a precarious position. He described the outcome as a "tectonic shift" in Indian politics, stating that the numbers are so fragile that even a minor disturbance could topple the government. The opposition INDIA bloc exceeded expectations by winning 234 out of 543 seats, with a strong performance in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, the Congress party delivered its best results in 15 years, winning 99 seats. Although the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance secured a third term with 293 seats, the saffron party itself fell short of the majority, winning 240 seats. Gandhi hinted at possible defections within Prime Minister Narendra Modi's camp, claiming that there is "great discontent" and that some allies may turn against the government.

The recent election results have shown that the Indian people have rejected the BJP's divisive political tactics. The notion that sowing discord and animosity can yield benefits has been resoundingly dismissed. During the campaign, Prime Minister Modi's references to the Muslim community as "infiltrators" and allegations that a Congress-led government would compromise the rights and quotas of marginalized groups were firmly rebuked. In contrast, the INDIA alliance effectively tapped into the concerns of Dalit voters, highlighting the fear that the BJP would leverage a larger majority to undermine their constitutionally-guaranteed benefits. This demonstrates that the strategies that propelled the BJP to victory in 2014 and 2019 are no longer effective. As Gandhi pointed out, "The party that spent the last 10 years talking about Ayodhya has been wiped out in Ayodhya." Ultimately, the core premise of the BJP's political architecture, which hinged on the creation of religious divisions, has collapsed.