Srinagar, June 04: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has termed the results of the 18th Lok Sabha election as a setback for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The party’s Polit Bureau in a statement issued here said the BJP has lost its majority in the Lok Sabha which it previously held in the 2014 and 2019 polls. This outcome deals a blow to the image of invincibility cultivated around Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had boldly predicted winning 400 seats in this election, it said.
The CPI(M) alleged that the election took place amidst widespread attacks on opposition parties, misuse of central agencies, and extensive use of financial resources.
“The Polit Bureau commends the people for standing up against these authoritarian tactics and defending the Constitution, democracy, and civil rights,” the statement said, adding, “The INDIA bloc performed admirably, addressing key issues such as unemployment, inflation, agricultural distress, and threats to democracy and the Constitution. They were able to counter the communal campaigning pursued by Modi and the BJP to a significant degree.”
The party also accused the Election Commission of failing to provide a fair playing field, specifically in curbing Modi’s “divisive rhetoric” and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct.
“While the CPI(M) and the Left parties have made slight gains in their performance, a more thorough analysis will be conducted once the full election results are available. The verdict indicates that the people are prepared to push back against any assaults on democracy, the Constitution, and their livelihoods,” the party said.