If one were to look at 2024 through the lens of electoral politics, one certainty emerged: the mind-boggling uncertainty of each electoral verdict! The voters of India truly delivered a diversity dividend in the elections. The year began with the BJP feeling upbeat after securing a hat-trick of victories in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh by the end of 2023. Confident (some might say over-confident) of maintaining this momentum, they moved forward with optimism. However, the year ended on a more sombre note, with the NDA alliance notching some important victories, while the INDIA coalition found solace in retaining Jharkhand but lost momentum in other electoral contests.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections were a high-stakes battle, with an energetic campaign launched by all key players. The BJP-led NDA was aiming for a third term, with an enhanced majority for the BJP on its own. Meanwhile, the Congress played a key role in stitching together a fragile INDIA coalition, which faced numerous setbacks, critical desertions, and many uncertainties.

The BJP's electoral game plan was carefully crafted. They positioned themselves as the key player within the NDA coalition, setting a tactical target of 370 plus seats for themselves and 400 for the alliance. These targets reflected the changing power dynamics within the alliance.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP's partners in the NDA had won 50 seats. The BJP (and the NDA) heavily relied on the charisma and leadership of Prime Minister Modi, who was central to their campaign. The 370 slogan for the BJP and the........

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