Lok Sabha Election 2024 Results: How India Voted Since Independence

Exit polls have predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls.

If the exit polls hold true, Modi will equal the record of the country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in leading his party to victory at the polls for a third straight term.

Many pollsters said the NDA may surpass its 2019 tally of 353 seats. The BJP had won 303 seats in the election. The Congress had bagged 53 seats and its allies 38. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

Take a look at the history of Lok Sabha Elections since the time of Independence:

The dawn of Indian democracy saw the Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, emerge as a formidable force, clinching a staggering majority with 364 seats. The Communist Party of India and Socialist Party secured 16 and 12 seats respectively, while the Bharatiya Jan Sangh managed only 3.

During this period, the Indian National Congress maintained its hegemony, securing 371 seats out of 494 in 1957. Despite facing challenges from other parties such as the CPI, Praja Socialist Party, and BJS, the Congress continued its electoral dominance, albeit with fluctuations in its vote share.

Under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, the Congress faced a diminishing vote share, securing 283 seats in the fourth Lok Sabha elections (1967). However, Gandhi's political acumen led the party to victory once again in the fifth Lok Sabha elections (1971), securing 352 seats and paving the way for her third term as Prime Minister.

The tide turned in 1977 as the Janata Party coalition emerged victorious, signalling an end to the Congress' uninterrupted rule. Morarji Desai assumed office as India's first non-Congress Prime Minister, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape.

The 1980s and 1990s witnessed the resurgence of the Congress party under the leadership of Indira Gandhi and later, her son Rajiv Gandhi. The 1984 elections were conducted in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguard and the subsequent anti-Sikh riots. The sympathy wave for the Congress resulted in a landslide win, while regional parties also gained prominence, challenging the traditional two-party system.

The period spanning from 1991 to 2004 witnessed significant shifts in India's political landscape, marked by the rise and fall of political parties and the emergence of new coalitions.

Lok Sabha Election 1991

In the aftermath of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, the 10th Lok Sabha elections saw the Indian National Congress emerge as the single largest party, securing 244 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 120 seats, while the Janata Dal trailed with 59 seats.

Lok Sabha Election 1996

The 11th Lok Sabha elections witnessed a fragmented mandate, with the BJP securing 161 seats, followed closely by Congress with 140 seats. The Janata Dal managed to secure 46 seats.

Lok Sabha Election 1999

Against the backdrop of the Kargil war, the 13th Lok Sabha elections saw the BJP retain its dominance, securing 182 seats. Congress, led by Sonia Gandhi, won 114 seats. Regional parties performed strongly, securing 158 seats.

Lok Sabha Election 2004

Congress secured a majority with over 335 seats, with support from allies such as the Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party, MDMK and the Left front.

Lok Sabha Election 2009

Congress won 206 seats, BJP secured 116, while regional parties won 146 seats. Manmohan Singh became prime minister for the second time.

In 2014, the Narendra Modi-led BJP secured a landslide victory, marking the end of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance's rule. Narendra Modi became Prime Minister.

The 2019 Lok Sabha elections reaffirmed the BJP's position under Modi's leadership. Securing a resounding majority, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swept to power once again.

(With PTI inputs)