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Tipping Point

The forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in India will be of immense significance to India as well as its neighboring nations.

By Ali Hassan Bangwar | April 2024


Elections are considered the soul of democratic societies. This is because they not only accord the ruler and the ruled a new opportunity to revisit the contract terms but also affect society’s internal and external dynamics. The same goes true for India’s Lok Sabha elections, scheduled in April and May.

Lok Sabha elections, also known as general elections, are held after five years and are considered the cornerstone of India’s democratic process. This is because the practice allows active public participation in the political process and enables them to express their voice and choice in the statesmanship counted. These elections, held every five years, constitute the largest democratic exercise globally, determining the lower house of Parliament members. They give Indian citizens the vital opportunity to exercise their right to vote and select their representatives at the national level.

The Election Commission of India recently formally announced the date of the Lok Sabha elections. The polls for all 543 seats would be held in seven phases, starting on April 19, followed by counting votes on June 4. The forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in India carry immense significance, not only for New Delhi but also for its neighboring nations. The electoral outcomes are set to determine the potential impacts on both domestic and regional dynamics. The continuity or change in policies and domestic dynamics of the country would be primarily determined by how far the electoral outcomes unfold. Moreover, the success of parties with peculiar manifestos would also help set the course of domestic policies and regional relationships.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vies to claim a hat-trick in the center, the Indian National Congress-led opposition strives to challenge the former’s decades-old political primacy and stronghold in the statecraft. Though the main contestants, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), share many commonalities in their manifestos on domestic and regional policies, the victory of either would be relatively different.

In terms of social policies, the AAP, the BJP, and the Indian National Congress share similarities, particularly in their support for the Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. The AAP and the Congress pledge to enhance reservations for these groups in the public sector, whereas the BJP’s stance on this matter is not specified.


However, the AAP differs from the other parties in its economic approach. Rather than proposing radical economic changes, it focuses on cleansing the existing economy, mainly targeting “crony capitalism.” The AAP’s economic ideology is described as “neither left nor right” but rather “in the interest of India,” echoing the concept of the “Third Way” advocated by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and British sociologist Anthony Giddens.

The AAP, BJP, and Congress pledge to create new job opportunities, with the AAP and the BJP vowing “millions of jobs” and the Congress aiming for “100 million,” as stated in their manifestos. Despite these promises, none of the parties offers an alternative to a free market economy. While the Congress and the BJP maintain traditional economic stances, the AAP stands out as the only party expected to propose an alternative approach.

However, the AAP differs from the other parties in its economic approach. Rather than proposing radical economic changes, it focuses on cleansing the existing economy, mainly targeting “crony capitalism.” The AAP’s economic ideology is described as “neither left nor right” but rather “in the interest of India,” echoing the concept of the “Third Way” advocated by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and British sociologist Anthony Giddens.

If the incumbent party retains power, existing policies, both famous and contentious, will likely continue. This could impact infrastructure development, social welfare programs, and central-state relations. A change in government, however, could lead to a shift in focus, potentially impacting areas like economic reforms, social welfare schemes, and law and order priorities in the capital.

Although articulations differ, the sentiments behind what the BJP terms “resurgent India” and its quest for a “rightful place in the community of nations” are widespread. The BJP’s adoption of neo-realism in foreign policy aims for pragmatism and enlightened national interests to realize the slogan “one India, superior India,” as outlined in its manifesto. Therefore, apart from minor situational or circumstantial changes, a BJP victory would likely mean a continuation of existing realistic policies with its neighbors—China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. However, a change in guards could help unleash foreign policy shifts, if not immediately.

The forthcoming Lok Sabha elections are significant for India and its neighbors. While the full impact will depend on the specific outcome, neighboring countries will be closely watching the results to understand the direction of India’s foreign policy and its engagement with the region.

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