Critical coverage of foreign media on Lok Sabha results
The foreign media has been keeping a close and constant watch on the Lok Sabha elections 2024 from the start of the marathon voting to the declaration of results. While the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is set to form the government for the third time at the Centre, the global media coverage has been centered around the saffron party’s fractured mandate and the return of the opposition.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance crossed the 290 mark while the BJP was reduced to 240 seats, but there was a big surprise from the opposition camp after the Samajwadi Party’s big performance in Uttar Pradesh. With the Congress getting 99 seats and its Indian Bloc leading in several key states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal, the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha is likely to have a healthy mix.
The BJP’s emphasis on the Ram Temple issue during the election campaign and Modi’s remarks about “infiltrators” and money distribution were criticised by foreign media publications.
India’s Modi claims victory as majority falls short: BBC
The UK-based British Broadcasting Corporation described Modi’s hat-trick victory as “historic”, but “his ruling coalition appears to have failed to secure a landslide majority as predicted.”
“The election is seen by many as a referendum on a decade in office of Mr Modi, during which he has transformed many aspects of life in India, so it will be a major upset. BBC correspondents described the atmosphere in BJP offices across the country as sombre,” it reported.
“The BJP and its rivals waged a fierce – sometimes vitriolic – campaign, with the prime minister denying he was acting divisively while rivals accused him of demonising Muslims,” the BBC reports.
Indian elections deal Modi a severe blow: The Washington Post
The US-based publication termed this mandate as “Unexpected denial” of Modi’s leadership.
“Over the past decade as prime minister, Modi has cultivated an image as a popular strongman and a consistent winner, and most political analysts expected him to again easily rout India’s weak and underfunded opposition parties,” the Washington Post reported.
The US media giant also reported claims of freezing of Congress’ bank accounts and arrest of prominent leaders like Arvind Kejriwal.
Modi has lost his aura of invincibility: The New York Times
The opening comment of the New York Times article was: “Suddenly, the aura of invincibility surrounding Narendra Modi has shattered.”
“In an Indian election in which his party’s slogan promised a landslide victory and Mr. Modi repeatedly described himself as God-sent, the results announced Tuesday were unexpectedly worrisome,” the NYT reports.
The NYT “charitably” analysed the results, stating that Modi’s “brand has now peaked, and he can no longer escape the anti-incumbency sentiment that eventually engulfs almost any politician.”