One day to go and India will have elected its 18th Lok Sabha. The ruling BJP touted a lofty goal of ‘400 paar’ (securing 400 out of the 543 seats) this time. But is this just a fantasy or a realistic possibility? The answer lies in India’s history
India conducted a high-stakes general election in seven phases between April and June. Now, all eyes are on the results of the Lok Sabha elections as the counting of votes takes place on Tuesday (4 June).
While the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set a lofty aim of “400 paar” (winning 400 out of the 543 Lok Sabha seats) this time, the Opposition INDIA bloc made efforts to halt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coronation for a third time.
If three exit polls are to be believed, the BJP could very well meet its target of ‘ab ki baar 400 paar’. Although the Opposition has vehemently rejected the figures, India’s history shows it is possible to win over 400 parliamentary seats.
And one party has done it before — the Congress.
But how? Let’s understand.
1984 Lok Sabha elections
On 31 October 1984, PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh security guards reportedly to avenge the desecration of the Golden Temple during Operation Blue Star in June of that year.