India is currently going through six weeks of voting, with many analysts predicting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will emerge victorious in the parliamentary contest. However, there is much speculation about the implications of the election results for the country. If Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) performs well, it could further its agenda of promoting Hinduism in public life. On the other hand, critics warn of threats to democracy such as a crackdown on press freedom.
The BJP’s campaign manifesto focuses on boosting India’s already rapidly-growing economy, which faces challenges such as low investment levels, high youth unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure in rural areas where most of the population resides. Despite these challenges, India’s economy has been benefiting from increased interest from Western businesses looking to diversify their investments away from China.
As the upcoming election will determine who will hold the 543 seats in India’s lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, with the Prime Minister being chosen by the party or coalition able to secure a majority, there is much anticipation about the direction in which India will head under Modi’s leadership. In addition to this, Modi’s government has also been seeking support from the US as a way to counter China’s expanding global influence.