Lok Sabha 2024: Parties from 15 nations accept BJP's invitation to witness its poll campaign

India is set to begin voting in a seven-phase general election starting on April 19, with the vote counting scheduled on June 4.

As many as 15 countries have confirmed to observe BJP’s campaign, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and several African nations, reported NDTV.

"For the first time in the history of electoral politics of the country, BJP has invited various political parties across the globe to come to India and have a first-hand experience of BJP's campaign. We have invited more than 25 political parties and there's confirmation from 15 of them, mostly in the neighbourhood but also in some far-east Asian countries as well as from African countries," says Vijay Chauthaiwale, who leads the BJP's foreign affairs department, according to NDTV.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's robust leadership and India's growing global prominence are expected to bolster his chances for re-election even as unemployment and inflation stand out as the biggest worries for Indian voters, reported The Hindu newspaper, citing the Lokniti-CSDS survey.

"Entire idea is to show the breadth and depth of BJP campaign that has resulted in the success of party in consecutive elections, be it assembly of Lok Sabha. We are looking forward to welcome them to India. They will be going to various parts of the country and we will show them various facets of BJP campaign," Chauthaiwale was quoted as saying by NDTV.

"In addition, we will also will be taking various diplomats in India from various countries and again we will show them BJP campaign. We had done this in past during assembly elections. But it will be first time for the Lok Sabha polls," he adds.

Chauthaiwale was also a part of PM Modi's 2014 election war room, said the report.

PM Modi's BJP, which is aiming for a third consecutive term, won 303 out of 543 seats in the 2019 general elections.

However, the party is facing big challenges in the southern states. In an effort to win over new voters, PM Modi has conducted back-to-back rallies throughout the south, expressing deep respect for the Tamil culture and language. In the previous elections, the BJP managed to win only a fraction of the seats, winning just over one-fifth, 29 out of 129 seats, across the five southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

By focusing on the south, the BJP aims to establish itself as a truly pan-India party nationwide party and outshine its already weakened rival, the Congress Party.

PM Modi's reputation, buoyed by India's leadership role in the G20 last year, has largely relied on his assertions of guiding the nation towards becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.