Sneak peek into the upcoming general elections of 2014, only on IBN-Lokmat

20^th January 2014: The general elections in India for the 16^th Lok Sabha will take place early this year starting mid April. The 15^th Lok Sabha will end its constitutional term in May 2014. These elections are one of the largest democratic processes in the world with about 725 million voters. An extensive survey undertaken by IBN-Lokmat enables viewers to an out and out preview of upcoming elections in ‘Ladhai Loksabhechi’ only on IBN-Lokmat from Monday January 20, 2014 to Thursday January 23, 2014 at 8 pm and 11 pm.

As the country gears up for the upcoming elections conducted by the Election Commission of India, regional parties seem to be currently dominating the scene. Delhi last year has witnessed a terrific assembly election. The fledgling Aam Aadmi Party finally had found its wings by winning 28 of the 70 seats in the assembly polls and has formed the government in Delhi. The AAP have grand plans to enter the Lok Sabha fray as well and intends to win over 300 seats in the Indian general elections, 2014. However, whether their entry will have an impact on the national stage is still a question to be answered.

Voting will be conducted across 543 parliamentary constituencies in India. The Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party will be seen taking on each other this election majorly. Around 272 seats are needed by any party to emerge as a winner and all contesting parties are now focusing their resources on the elections. With Narendra Modi being a powerful orator, a people magnet and a successful chief minister, he is BJP's best bet to win over 180 seats. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the BJP to come back to power.

However speculations about Rahul Gandhi being declared as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the INC have been cleared by the Party’s President Sonia Gandhi, who announced on Friday that he will not be nominated for the post of Prime Minister. The Grand Old Party seems badly battered even before it has gone to the war field. Congress party doesn't seem to have any enthusiasm or energy left and with Sonia holding back her son Rahul Gandhi it can be safely assumed that the party is on a weaker footing. 

The regional parties like YSRCP, BSP, SP, AIADMK, BJD, TMC, JD (U) have gained substantially in their respective states of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, West Bengal and Bihar. They are making serious inroads into the vote share of the national parties. The way these parties align themselves at the end could determine the kind of Lok Sabha we shall have in 2014.

Tune into ‘Ladhai Loksabhechi’ to know more about interesting findings of the survey only on IBN-Lokmat from Monday January 20, 2014 to Thursday January 23, 2014 at 8 pm and 11 pm.