The upcoming 2024 General Elections in India have witnessed a significant rise in the salience of the Constitution as a central issue in political discourse. This development has been driven by concerns among voters, particularly Dalit and Yadav voters, that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intends to alter the Constitution.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Lalu Prasad, accusing him of neglecting the welfare of backward classes and his own caste. He alleged that RJD’s return to power would bring back ‘jungle raj’ and corruption to Bihar. Shah also criticized the Congress and RJD for allegedly attempting to divert reservations from SCs, STs, and OBCs to Muslims.
The Begusarai Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar has been a stronghold of the Communist Party of India (CPI) for decades, but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made significant inroads in recent years. The upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections promise to be a close contest between the CPI and the BJP, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also in the fray. The constituency has a complex caste composition, with the Bhumihar community holding sway traditionally, but backward castes and extremely backward classes accounting for a significant proportion of voters. The sitting BJP MP, Giriraj Singh, is a controversial figure who has faced criticism for his polarizing statements. However, he remains a popular figure among some voters, who see him as a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CPI candidate, Awadhesh Kumar Rai, is a former three-time CPI MLA and is seen as a strong challenger to Singh. The outcome of the Begusarai Lok Sabha election will be closely watched as it will have implications for the political landscape of Bihar and the national level.
In Rajasthan’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress is optimistic about ending the BJP’s 10-year hold on the state. In the two phases of voting, the BJP faced challenges in several seats, with caste politics playing a significant role. While the Congress is confident, the BJP remains apprehensive, especially given its national target of winning over 400 seats. The outcome of this election will be closely watched, as it could indicate a shift in political dynamics in Rajasthan.
