As India gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the political landscape in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh becomes a pivotal battleground. The BJP, having secured victories in the recent assembly polls, enjoys a favorable position, setting the stage for a direct contest with the Congress.
Recognizing the significance of these heartland states, the BJP aims to limit Congress to a double-digit seat count, hindering the INDIA alliance’s aspirations for 2024. The Congress, cognizant of the challenge, strives to surpass the 100-seat mark, a considerable jump from its 52 seats in the previous elections, to bolster the INDIA alliance’s chances.
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh emerge as focal points in this opposition endeavor, given the head-to-head battle between the BJP and Congress. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP displayed dominance, securing nearly 100% of seats in these states. Despite a meager base, expectations were that the Congress would improve its performance. The Congress managed only one seat out of 29 in MP, zero out of 25 in Rajasthan, and two out of 11 in Chhattisgarh.
Anticipating a shift due to a presumed 10-year anti-incumbency against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was expected that the BJP might yield a portion of seats. However, the hypothesis faces challenges as Modi’s popularity seemingly retains a stronghold, potentially allowing the BJP to maintain a significant portion, around 60%, in these crucial states.
As the political narrative unfolds, the battle for the heartland states intensifies, with the Congress facing an uphill task to rejuvenate and challenge the BJP’s formidable position.
