As India’s mega election begins, caste-based parties threaten to upset Modi’s apple cart

Over 39 days, some 900 million voters will decide if they want Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party to remain in power

While much of the spotlight has been cast on Modi, the lack of a national election narrative has allowed state parties to boost their numbers by forming alliances across caste lines

Reading Time:4 minutes

A shop assistant sells kites bearing images of the Indian political rivals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Bangalore. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:30am, 11 Apr 2019Updated: 12:30pm, 11 Apr 2019

The world’s largest democracy has begun its seven-phase general election, with voters across 20 states and union territories turning out on Thursday to choose representatives in India’s lower house of parliament.

Over 39 days, about 900 million eligible voters – including 81 million first-time voters – will decide whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains in power.

The Indian National Congress is the main opposition but has been weakened after its ambitions of leading a coalition of anti-Modi alliances fell flat. Regional parties are now poised to help determine the formation of the new government when results are declared on May 23.

Indian National Congress party president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra greet supporters from a truck at a roadshow rally in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. Photo: AFP

Vaibhav Gupta owns a store selling popular T-shirts endorsing Modi and the ruling BJP. However, the resident of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh state did not support the BJP at state level in 2017.

“I chose the Samajwadi Party as it had a chief ministerial candidate. I did not know who would lead the BJP,” Gupta said.

As India’s mega election begins, caste-based parties threaten to upset Modi’s apple cart

India election: why the Gandhi-led Congress is destined to fail