The BJP has used the slogan Abki Baar 300 Paar ('This time surpassing 300') in 2019 general election. In that elections, BJP was able to increase its tally from 282 to 303. The last time a party had won more than 300 seats was the Indian National Congress (Indira) led by Indira Gandhi in the 1980 general elections following the collapse of the Janata Party government. The slogan now served as both a rallying cry and a representation of the party's political goals for its adherents.[5]
The national leadership of the party, including the then Prime Minister Modi, party president J P Nadda, and Home Minister Amit Shah, have actively used the slogan while campaigning at political rallies.[6][7][8]
Election analysts have said that the path for the BJP to achieve this goal would likely be by winning more seats in South & East India than in previous elections. At the same time, the BJP would also have to retain its dominant performance in North and West India.[9]
The results of the election, declared on 4 June 2024, showed that the BJP could secure only 240 seats, 32 seats short of the majority.[21] This led to the return of coalition politics in India after 10 years.[21]
Opposition remarks
On 2 February 2024, during the Motion of Thanks on the President's address, I.N.D.I.A. bloc's leader Mallikarjun Kharge made certain remarks on BJP's 400 paar (crossing 400 seats) claim.[22] Taking a jibe at the claim, he said:
"Aapka itna bahumat hai, pehle 330, 334 thi, ab toh '400 paar' ho raha hai" (lit.'You have a majority of 330, 334 seats and 400 is being crossed now')
Prime minister Modi considered it as an endorsement of the “abki baar 400 paar" slogan.[23]
Kharge later raised the issue, stating two pages from his speech were removed, distorting the intent of their speech. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar after listening to the recording of the speech gave his ruling to the issue, stating Kharge had plenty of time to revisit his words during his speech.[24]
Members of the opposition have criticized the slogan for being “about absolute power”.[25]
Criticism
Experts had debated over whether, realistically, the BJP could win 400 seats.[26]
Aftermath
In the 2024 elections, the BJP lost its singular majority and the NDA won 293 seats, with the BJP securing only 240 seats.[21] Also Indian National Congress led I.N.D.I.A bloc to secure 237 seats.
