BJP set to sweep LS polls 2024? predicts Development Economist Jean Dreze
BJP set to sweep LS polls 2024? predicts Development Economist Jean Dreze
Jean Dreze Development Economist predicts the challenges encountered by opposition leaders in India, quoting is due to the
harassment by central agencies
elections are at risk of being rigged under the existing circumstances.
He further opined on Sunday that the Indian democracy had been afflicted by a “recent wave of authoritarianism” and was as of now navigating a major ‘crisis’. The assertion came mere days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections with Dreze insisting that the Opposition INDIA bloc can make a ‘big difference’ to the tally.
The economist further added that leaders of these parties have endured relentless scrutiny and harassment by central agencies for years. Former Jharkhand chief minister Soren finds himself behind the bars, Lalu Prasad has faced intermittent periods of incarceration, and Rahul Gandhi narrowly avoided a similar fate in addition to Congress’ accounts being frozen. Any politician who presents a danger to the BJP is at risk of harassment.
India is scheduled to hold Lok Sabha elections in seven phases commencing from
April 19. Votes will be counted on June 4. Recent opinion polls give the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance a clear edge backing PM Modi’s assertions that the grouping will secure more than 400 seats in the lower house of Parliament.
Dreze also touched upon the BJP’s odds in Jharkhand, contending that many people in the state had good reasons to be unhappy with the saffron party. He recalled author Arundhati Roy previously describing the 2019 elections as a race between a Ferrari and a few bicycles to underscore his poi.
Adding that the bicycles may not be in good shape, but this time they are working as a team and can make a big difference.
Since 2004 there has been big surprises in all the Lok Sabha polls with the partial exception of 2019. Exit polls often get the results wrong and that BJP is likely to win a majority of seats in the state. However, it may not get 11 out of the 14 as it did in 2019.
News Edit K.V.Raman
