India (Commonwealth Union)_ As the Lok Sabha elections draw closer, a recent survey has projected a potential landslide victory for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA alliance in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most politically pivotal state. According to the pre-poll survey, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of PM Modi, is anticipated to secure approximately 52% of the votes, mirroring their performance in the 2019 elections.
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In contrast, the opposition INDIA bloc is forecasted to garner approximately 36% of the vote share, with an additional 7% attributed to a regional party. Uttar Pradesh holds immense significance in Indian politics as it contributes a substantial 80 Members of Parliament to the 543-member lower house. Scheduled to be conducted in seven phases between April 19 and June 1, with vote counting slated for June 4, the elections will determine the composition of the lower house for the next five years. In the previous 2019 elections, the BJP and its allies clinched 51.2% of the votes in Uttar Pradesh, a trend they aim to uphold through a combination of economic progress and Hindu nationalist policies.
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PM Modi, expressing confidence in his party and allies, anticipates securing over 400 seats in the upcoming polls. Bolstered by robust economic growth, government incentives, and symbolic gestures such as the recent inauguration of a Hindu temple on a disputed site, PM Modi maintains widespread popularity despite criticisms regarding job creation and economic inequality. Additionally, the survey indicates that a significant portion of respondents, comprising 42%, expressed high satisfaction with Modi’s government, while 29% reported being less satisfied and 27% expressed dissatisfaction. Similarly, a majority of respondents expressed satisfaction with the BJP’s performance in Uttar Pradesh, with 25% indicating less satisfaction and 23% expressing dissatisfaction.
Moreover, the survey reflects a substantial preference for Modi as Prime Minister, with 62% of respondents voicing support for his re-election, while only 24% favored Rahul Gandhi for the top post. The survey, which sampled 2,258 individuals, also suggests potential gains for the BJP in Karnataka, the only southern state where the party has established a foothold. Additionally, the booming economy, projected to have expanded by approximately 8% in the previous fiscal year, serves as a significant factor bolstering Modi’s electoral prospects. However, the benefits of economic growth are perceived to be more evident in urban areas compared to rural regions. Notably, another pre-poll survey also echoes the sentiment, predicting a formidable victory for the NDA led by PM Modi, with projections of 411 Lok Sabha seats. Conversely, the INDIA bloc, including the Congress party, is anticipated to secure only 105 seats in the lower house, according to the poll findings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prediction to return to power in the 2024 polls underscores the enduring popularity and political resilience he commands. Backed by a combination of economic growth, strategic policy initiatives, and a robust electoral campaign, Modi’s vision for India resonates with a significant portion of the electorate. While the journey to the polls remains filled with uncertainties, the prevailing sentiment reflected in surveys and pre-poll predictions suggests a formidable electoral performance for Modi and the NDA alliance. As the nation anticipates the unfolding of yet another pivotal electoral event, Modi’s bid for a third term stands as a testament to his leadership acumen and the enduring appeal of his political ideology.
