The 2024 Assembly elections have proven to be a significant battleground in both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, held alongside the Lok Sabha elections. As the votes are being counted, the intense contest between key political parties is becoming increasingly evident.
Odisha: BJD vs. BJP
In Odisha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to challenge the long-standing dominance of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the BJD has been in power since 2000. However, the BJP, buoyed by exit polls predicting a gain of 62-80 seats, is optimistic about making substantial inroads.
The voting process in Odisha spanned from May 13 to June 1, conducted in four phases. The state saw a voter turnout of 63.46% by the final phase, with Cuttack and Puri recording the highest turnouts at 67.96% and 67.30%, respectively.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is seeking re-election from two constituencies, Kantabanji and Hinjili, a strategic move to consolidate his position. The results of this election will be crucial in determining whether the BJD can maintain its stronghold or if the BJP will succeed in altering the state’s political landscape.
Andhra Pradesh: The Battle for Power
In Andhra Pradesh, the elections were equally significant, with simultaneous polling for the 175-member Assembly and all 25 Lok Sabha seats. The voter turnout was substantial, with 3.33 crore votes cast, including 4.61 lakh postal ballots and 26,473 home votes. Additionally, 26,721 service voters utilized their electronic voting rights.
The key candidates in the fray include incumbent Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), contesting from Pulivendula; TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu, running from Kuppam; and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan from Pithapuram.
The 2019 elections saw the YSRCP secure a landslide victory, winning 151 of the 175 Assembly seats with a 49.95% vote share. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) managed only 23 seats with 39.17% of the votes, while the Jana Sena secured a single seat. This election is a test of whether the YSRCP can maintain its dominance or if the TDP and Jana Sena can make a comeback.
The Road Ahead
As the results unfold, both states are witnessing a high-stakes battle with significant implications for their political futures. In Odisha, the BJP’s potential gains could reshape the state’s political dynamics, challenging the two-decade-long rule of the BJD. In Andhra Pradesh, the YSRCP’s ability to retain its overwhelming majority or face a resurgent TDP and Jana Sena will be closely watched.
Stay tuned for the latest updates and detailed analysis as we continue to monitor the results of the 2024 Assembly elections in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.