India election 2024: Explained in maps

Summary

India's vast and intricate election process involves nearly a billion voters spread across 28 states and 8 union territories, culminating in a seven-phase poll. The election determines the composition of the 543-seat Lok Sabha, India's lower house, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal having the most constituencies. Prime Minister Modi's party, the BJP, has historically dominated Uttar Pradesh, a state with a population that would make it the world's fifth largest country if independent. The BJP aims to leverage the majority Hindu vote, especially in the sacred city of Varanasi, where Modi has been an MP since 2014. Despite the South's economic and social advancements, the North, with its larger number of seats, holds the key to forming the government. The agricultural community, predominantly in the North, is a significant voting bloc, with Uttar Pradesh being the largest farming state. However, farmers have been struggling, leading to protests against the BJP government's agricultural laws, which were eventually withdrawn. The upcoming elections will be a test for Modi's party as they seek to maintain their influence over the crucial northern states.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ India's elections are vast, with nearly a billion people eligible to vote, making it a complex and lengthy process.
• 🏙️ The country is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories, all of which participate in the elections over seven phases.
• 🏛️ The elections determine the composition of the Lok Sabha, India's lower house, which has 543 constituencies, each with one seat.
• 📊 Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal have the highest number of constituencies, with Uttar Pradesh having 80 seats.
• 🌍 Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state, with over 240 million residents, which would make it the fifth largest country in the world if independent.
• 🏆 Prime Minister Modi's party has historically won a significant portion of seats in Uttar Pradesh, despite Modi being from Gujarat.
• 💲 The southern states of India tend to outperform the north in development, economic growth, and social justice, contributing to 31% of the country's GDP.
• 📈 The southern states attract a significant portion of foreign investments and host two-thirds of the country's IT service industry.
• 🎯 For the opposition Congress party to improve its performance, it needs to capitalize on the southern states' support.
• 🌾 The majority of India's farmers are in the north, with Uttar Pradesh being the largest farming state and having the most seats in contention.
• 📉 Indian farmers, many of whom have small holdings, have been struggling due to climate change and have been a significant political force.
• ⛺️ In 2020, farmers protested against three laws passed by the BJP government, leading to their eventual withdrawal after a 13-month protest near Delhi.

Q & A

How many people are eligible to vote in India's elections?

Nearly a billion people are eligible to vote in India's elections, making it one of the largest democratic exercises in the world.

What is the significance of the number of constituencies in India's lower house, the Lok Sabha?

The Lok Sabha has 543 constituencies, and the party or coalition that wins the majority of these seats forms the next government of India.

Which states have the highest number of constituencies in the Lok Sabha?

Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of constituencies with 80, followed by Maharashtra with 48, and West Bengal with 42.

Why is Uttar Pradesh significant in Indian elections?

Uttar Pradesh is significant because it has the highest number of constituencies and a large population, which can greatly influence the outcome of the elections.

What is the role of Prime Minister Modi in the elections?

Prime Minister Modi, who is from Gujarat, has been an MP for the city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh since 2014. His party aims to capitalize on the majority Hindu votes in the state.

What is the general economic divide between North and South India?

The South tends to outperform the North in terms of development, economic growth, and social justice. The five southern states contribute significantly to the country's GDP and attract a large portion of foreign investments.

How does the geographical distribution of seats in the Parliament affect the elections?

The geographical distribution of seats can influence the election outcomes, as certain regions like Uttar Pradesh have a higher number of seats, which can be pivotal in forming the government.

What is the importance of the Vinda mountain range in the context of North and South India?

While there is no official dividing line between North and South India, the Vinda mountain range is generally considered as the boundary, with the South being more economically developed.

What challenges do farmers in India face, and how do they impact the elections?

Indian farmers, who are mostly in the North, face challenges such as small landholdings, difficulty in earning a good living, and the impact of climate change. Their issues have led to protests and can influence political support.

Why did farmers protest around the capital Delhi in 2020?

Farmers protested against three laws passed by the BJP government, which they believed would negatively impact their livelihoods. After a 13-month protest, the laws were eventually withdrawn.

How does the agricultural community's stance affect political parties in India?

The agricultural community is a large and influential block, and political parties strive to win their support, especially in states where agriculture is a significant part of the economy.

What challenges does the opposition Congress party face in the elections?

The Congress party needs to capitalize on the Southern States to improve its standing. However, winning in the North, where BJP has strongholds and more seats are available, is crucial for a majority win.