Abstract: The 18th general elections in India are significant on multiple fronts. Managing the elections for nearly one billion voters underscores the uniqueness of India's electoral democracy. The success of India's electoral democracy defies sceptics who once doubted the country's ability to elect leaders due to its perceived poverty, divisions, and illiteracy. However, while the institutional achievement of conducting periodic elections is commendable, it does not automatically translate into an unequivocal success of democracy in India. Arguably, the issues raised and the strategies employed by political parties in the lead-up to the elections have profound impacts on the socio-political and economic fabric of the nation in the long term. In this panel discussion, our aim is to delve into the various issues around which the general elections of 2024 were contested. Through this analysis, we seek to dissect the election results and discern their socio-political and economic ramifications for Indian society.
About the speakers:
Dr. Anshuman Behera is an Associate Professor in the School of Conflict and Security Studies programme at NIAS.
Prof. SS Meenakshisundaram is a Visiting Professor at NIAS and Chairman of the MYRADA.
Prof. Narendar Pani is JRD Tata Chair Visiting Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.