Election Results 2024 Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi, representing the Congress party, has secured a victory in the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency with a significant lead of over 400,000 votes. This win underscores the continued stronghold of the Nehru-Gandhi family on Rae Bareli and Amethi, with Congress edging out the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Smriti Irani in the latter. Rahul’s candidacy followed Priyanka Gandhi’s stepping down from the seat she had won the previous year.
What are the numbers looking like? Contrary to the predictions made by various exit polls, the INDIA alliance appears to be on an upward trajectory, leading to a minimum of 228 seats based on the most recent data. While the battle was fierce, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is nearing the 300-seat mark, currently holding 297 seats. With the BJP not securing a majority on its own, discussions have commenced within the alliance involving Telugu Desam Party’s leader Chandrababu Naidu, who has been in contact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Where have the Opposition consolidated? Unexpectedly, in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP faced setbacks with the INDIA alliance, spearheaded by Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, leading in 43 constituencies. In West Bengal, the party saw losses as the Trinamool Congress managed to enhance its lead in 32 seats. In Maharashtra, the opposition has made significant strides, particularly after the BJP’s fallout with two regional powerhouses, Shiv Sena and the NCP. Here, the opposition leads with 30 seats, surpassing the NDA’s count of 17.