200+ Rallies, 80 Interviews: PM Modi Wraps Up 2024 Lok Sabha Campaigning, Breaks His Own Record
The 2024 Lok Sabha campaign has surpassed PM Modi's previous effort in the 2019 elections, where he had nearly 145 public engagements, and spanned over 76 days compared to 68 days in 2019.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his intensive Lok Sabha poll campaign with a rally in Punjab's Hoshiyarpur on Thursday, ending his electioneering as he began—focussing on a region where he has aimed to strengthen BJP's presence outside its traditional strongholds. Modi completed a total of 206 public outreach programmes, including rallies and roadshows, since the Election Commission announced the poll schedule on March 16. PM Modi also gave 80 media interviews.
The campaign has surpassed his previous effort in the 2019 elections, where he had nearly 145 public engagements, and spanned over 76 days compared to 68 days in 2019.
When EC announced the polls, Modi was on a political tour of southern India, covering all five states in three days from Mach 15 to March 17. The BJP aimed to improve its performance in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh—states where it won no seats in 2019—and to maintain or increase its tally in Karnataka and Telangana.
The result of his extensive campaigning will be revealed on June 4, when the poll results are scheduled to be declared.
At 73, Modi not only led in the number of rallies and distance covered but also remained the most significant vote magnet for his party. His comments, criticised by the opponents and embraced by BJP and its supporters, shaped the election narratives. During the campaign, Modi also gave 80 media interviews, averaging more than one interview per day since the polls began.
PM Modi has arrived in Kanyakumari today. He will be there until June 1 for meditation, engaging in spiritual activities at the site associated with Swami Vivekanand.
Notably, four states remained the primary focus of Modi's campaign, accounting for over half of his of his public events. Uttar Pradesh saw the most activity, with Modi addressing 31 election events. The state sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha, and the NDA won 64 seats there in 2019, with BJP aiming to increase this tally.
In Bihar, Modi held 20 election events, followed by Maharashtra with 19, and West Bengal with 18. According to media reports, he nearly doubled his election rallies in Maharashtra compared to 2019. The state saw the BJP forming new alliances with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP. Bihar saw the return of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party JD(U) to the NDA fold.
In West Bengal, where the BJP sought to boost its seat count, Modi held 18 poll events, including a roadshow in Kolkata. The BJP had won 18 seats in the state during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
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