This opinion was first published on news18.com | MAY 13, 2023.
Congress’s Karnataka weep in the only state south of the Vindhyas, where the BJP held power, portends new implications for our larger polity.
Here are 10 takeaways from Congress’s big win in Karnataka:
Morale-booster for Congress: With a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the ruling BJP in a state that hasn’t elected an incumbent to power in over three decades, the Congress was always expected to win Karnataka. But the scale of the victory – 136 seats with over 43 percent vote share and a 7 percent gap with the BJP – is a huge morale booster for the main national opposition party.
Control of a vital state: The Congress last beat the BJP in Himachal Pradesh in a head-to-head contest. But the political impact of the Karnataka win is higher. The state has the third highest GSDP (gross state domestic product) in India (after Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu). Winning control of such a prosperous and politically significant state is a big fillip to the Congress on the road to 2024.
Bargaining power in opposition alliance: With efforts on for opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, this result will strengthen the Congress’s hands and bargaining power as the pre-eminent national party opposing the BJP.
Campaign lessons for upcoming state elections: Karnataka will be followed by assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh….
Karnataka 2024 is a different story: Karnataka has historically voted differently in state and national elections over the past three decades. While the Congress will be greatly enthused by this win, it would be premature to extrapolate these results to the 28 Lok Sabha seats of Karnataka….
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This opinion was first published on news18.com | MAY 13, 2023.
