As India heads into its six-week voting season, many experts predict that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will emerge victorious in the parliamentary race. However, the potential implications of the election outcomes are shrouded in speculation. If Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) performs well, it could further its agenda of promoting Hinduism in public life. Critics warn, however, that such moves may pose a threat to India’s democracy.
The BJP’s campaign manifesto focuses on boosting India’s already rapidly-growing economy, which faces challenges such as low investment levels, high youth unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure in rural areas where most of the population resides. Despite these challenges, India’s economy has been benefiting from increased interest from Western businesses looking to diversify their investments away from China.
The upcoming election will determine who will hold the 543 seats in India’s lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, with the Prime Minister being chosen by the party or coalition able to secure a majority. Modi’s government has also been seeking support from the US as a way to counter China’s expanding global influence. As the election unfolds, there is much anticipation about the direction in which India will head under Modi’s leadership.
