06/06/2024
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured significant support from key allies in the 2024 elections, showcasing a strong coalition. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by Chandrababu Naidu, rejoined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in February and has made impressive gains. Winning 135 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh and securing 16 Lok Sabha seats, Naidu is poised to play a pivotal role, marking his influence as a kingmaker for the first time in nearly two decades.
Another significant ally is the Janata Dal (United), headed by Nitish Kumar. Despite his departure from the NDA in 2022, Kumar returned in 2024 and secured 12 Lok Sabha seats. Known for his political maneuvering, Kumar's JD(U) is the third-largest party in the NDA, holding substantial influence that the BJP relies on. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) is also crucial, leading in 5 seats, including the stronghold of Hajipur. Paswan continues his father's legacy, representing Bihar's Dalit population and reinforcing his commitment to the NDA.
Shiv Sena, under Eknath Shinde, remains a long-standing ally of the BJP, despite internal splits. Shinde's faction is leading in 7 seats, indicating continued alignment with the BJP. In the North, Jayant Chaudhary’s Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leads with 2 seats in Uttar Pradesh, maintaining a strategic alliance with the NDA. Lastly, the Janata Dal (Secular), led by HD Kumaraswamy in Karnataka, left the Congress alliance to join the NDA. Although leading with 2 seats, JD(S) finds it practical to remain within the NDA, despite its limited influence in shaping alliances.