As the year draws to a close, we look back at the prominent political figures who shaped the Indian political discourse. The nation, which voted for the 18th Lok Sabha elections this year, saw defining moments that changed and brought U-turns in the political journeys of many. From breaking records to being wiped clean in the electoral battle, Indian political leaders kept dominating headlines throughout the year.
At 2024’s curtain call, we look back at some of the key newsmakers of the year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Donning a royal blue 'Modi jacket', as Narendra Damodardas Modi greeted party workers, leaders and euphoric fans at the BJP Headquarters on New Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg on a sultry June 4 evening, history had been scripted.
Having secured a third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Modi's leadership continued to dominate Indian politics in 2024, cementing his place as one of the most influential leaders in the country’s history. He also became the third longest-serving Prime Minister of India, surpassing Manmohan Singh.
Another significant event marking his unchallenged leadership this year was his participation in the pran pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which not only held spiritual significance but also symbolised the BJP's consolidation of its ideological base rooted in Hindu nationalism.
On the global stage, PM Modi worked relentlessly to strengthen India's diplomatic relationships, securing landmark agreements in trade, defense, and technology that elevated India’s position on the international stage. His deft management of domestic and foreign policies made him a central figure in both national and global narratives.
Rahul Gandhi
In 2024, Rahul Gandhi made a notable resurgence in India's political landscape. For the first time since joining politics, Rahul Gandhi secured a constitutional post this year by becoming the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.
At the start of the year, Rahul embarked on his second pan-India foot march, called the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, to galvanise support and build momentum for Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. During the April-June general election, Congress managed to improve its tally to 99 seats, up from 52 in 2019. This was a significant jump for the grand old party and helped Rahul find his comeback tune.
Personally, Rahul managed to reverse the setback of 2019 by notching victories in both Rae Bareli (UP) and Wayanad (Kerala). The dual victory helped Rahul silence the critics who questioned his ability to pull victories after his loss to BJP's Smriti Irani from the Congress bastion of Amethi.
His leadership in 2024 was marked by a more focused and strategic opposition movement, with Congress under his guidance striving to offer an alternative vision for governance, stressing social justice, economic reform, and democratic values.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
In 2024, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar played a key role in shaping India’s foreign policy amid complex global dynamics. He focused on strengthening relations with major global powers like the United States, Russia, China, and the European Union while promoting India’s influence on the global stage. Through India’s leadership in forums such as the UN and G20, Jaishankar pushed for more inclusive global governance, addressing challenges like the Ukraine war, Indo-Pacific tensions, and global economic instability.
Jaishankar stressed multilateralism and regional cooperation, particularly in South Asia. He skillfully managed India’s complex relationships with neighbouring countries, notably China and Pakistan. His focus on regional peace extended to addressing cross-border terrorism and security concerns with Pakistan.
A major diplomatic achievement for Jaishankar in 2024 was his role in overseeing the India-China border standoff that began in 2020. Through strategic negotiations, he facilitated troop withdrawals and de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Jaishankar’s diplomatic efforts, combining military communication with confidence-building measures, helped stabilise India-China relations.
Priyanka Gandhi
In 2024, Wayanad MP and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra played a significant role in shaping the Congress' political narrative, both nationally and within its organisational structure. Her electoral debut from Wayanad, a seat previously represented by her brother Rahul Gandhi, was a key milestone. Priyanka won with 6.22 lakh votes, defeating her CPM rival Sathyan Mokeri by over four lakh votes, surpassing Rahul's margin in the 2024 elections. Her victory marked her entry into Parliament as the third member of the Gandhi family to do so.
Priyanka’s political journey this year marks the beginning of a new chapter, with her leadership bringing fresh dynamics to the Congress. Beyond her parliamentary debut, she also focused on strengthening the party's presence across various states, especially in Uttar Pradesh, where Congress faced tough competition from the BJP and regional parties, in the run-up to the 18th Lok Sabha elections. She also worked on rejuvenating the party’s organisational structure, focusing on engaging youth and women voters to revitalize its image and enhance its grassroots base.
Chandrababu Naidu
In 2024, N Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), made a significant political comeback, reclaiming his position as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. His victory reflects his strategic effort to regain the support of the TDP’s traditional voter base after the party's defeat in the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections. Naidu had effortlessly worked on rebuilding the party's influence, focusing on a revitalised political narrative that appealed to both rural and urban voters.
He also became an important part of the ruling NDA government, since the support of TDP MPs helped BJP form a third straight government at the Centre.
Naidu's political resurgence was underscored by efforts to forge new alliances with both regional and national parties, aiming to challenge the dominance of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Jagan Mohan Reddy. His campaign, ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha elections, stressed restoring governance, promoting economic growth, and reviving the state’s welfare schemes, which he claimed had been neglected under the Reddy administration. Naidu positioned himself as a leader capable of bringing about stability and development to the state.
Devendra Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis’ political journey to becoming Maharashtra's Chief Minister in 2024 has been marked by significant achievements and strategic leadership. Known for his ability to manage alliances, navigate political complexities, and handle opposition pressures, Fadnavis played a key role in consolidating BJP's influence in the state. He emerged as a bridge between national leadership and regional interests, countering the influence of parties like Shiv Sena and NCP.
In 2024, Fadnavis focused on critical issues such as economic development, infrastructure, and agricultural reforms, solidifying his position as the face of the BJP in Maharashtra. His leadership and political resilience continued to drive the party’s dominance, with Fadnavis poised to shape the state's future as it headed toward key elections. His adaptability and unwavering focus on party objectives reinforced his role as one of Maharashtra's most influential political figures.
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Omar Abdullah
In 2024, Omar Abdullah, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), experienced a political revival after the challenges posed by the 2019 revocation of Article 370. His vocal opposition to the central government's decision continued as he led NC to a strong position, forming a strategic alliance with Congress, which proved pivotal in securing a majority in the assembly elections. This victory led to his return as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, marking the end of direct governance by the central government.
A key issue for Abdullah this year remained the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and special status, which he views as crucial for the region’s identity and autonomy. Despite the Centre's stance on the abolition of Article 370, Abdullah remains firm in his opposition, actively campaigning for the special status. His leadership focused on reviving the region and addressing governance and development challenges disrupted by the 2019 changes.
Abdullah’s political journey in 2024 was also marked by his balancing act with Congress. While the alliance was vital for electoral success, it faced internal friction, particularly concerning issues like Electronic Voting Machines, which tested Abdullah’s credibility on Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy. Despite these challenges, Abdullah’s return to power signaled a resurgence of his political influence in the region.
Mohan Bhagwat
Mohan Bhagwat, leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), remained a dominant figure in Indian politics this year, advocating for Hindu unity and promoting the RSS' ideological agenda. His speeches called for social harmony, national integration, and the strengthening of India's cultural identity rooted in Hinduism. Bhagwat's focus on caste divisions and religious minorities became a key aspect of his leadership, but his remarks, particularly on a "uniform civil code," were seen by some as attempts to impose a unified cultural identity.
Bhagwat also faced criticism for sidelining the concerns of religious minorities, especially Muslims and Christians, with some accusing the RSS under his leadership of promoting an exclusionary agenda. His comments on Hindu-Muslim unity sparked protests and debates, with critics accusing him of deepening national divisions.Bhagwat’s outreach to the Indian diaspora and his advocacy for global Hindu unity further enhanced his status as a key figure in the Hindu nationalist movement.
Atishi
Atishi’s tenure as Delhi Chief Minister in 2024 marked a significant phase in her political career. As the second woman CM after Sheila Dikshit, she assumed office following Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation, pledging to uphold his governance model with a focus on education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Known for her expertise in education, Atishi introduced reforms to improve inclusivity, expanded model schools, and launched digital literacy programs for underprivileged communities.
In addition, she prioritised eco-friendly transport and launched the "Green Delhi Mission" to curb pollution in the national capital. Her tenure has, however, faced criticism from the BJP over allegations of fund mismanagement, urban planning failures, and prioritising publicity over development.
Ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, balancing political and administrative challenges will be key to her legacy and AAP's future.
Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and TMC supremo, remained a prominent figure in Indian politics in 2024. She faced sharp criticism, especially from the BJP and opposition parties, over allegations of corruption and governance issues. The BJP positioned itself as her key challenger for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, with controversies about law and order, including political violence and governance lapses.
Her leadership faced further scrutiny in August following the brutal rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College, sparking nationwide protests. Opposition parties accused her government of failing to ensure public safety, with medical professionals and citizens demanding better security. Banerjee, however, defended her administration, attributing the protests to political opportunism and promising stricter safety measures, at the same time.
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The RG Kar incident became a hiccup and a defining moment in her political journey, challenging her leadership and raising questions about her administration's ability to maintain law and order. How she responds to these issues will impact her government's reputation and the TMC's prospects in future elections.
Smriti Irani
In 2024, Smriti Irani remained a prominent and controversial figure in Indian politics, particularly due to her re-election bid in Amethi during the Lok Sabha elections. Having famously defeated Rahul Gandhi in 2019, her political trajectory in the constituency attracted significant attention. While her aggressive grassroots campaigning and the BJP's resources helped maintain her stronghold, regional issues and local dynamics in Amethi posed challenges to her re-election.
Despite her efforts, Irani's re-election bid in Amethi ended in a defeat. The Congress, focusing on local issues and benefiting from Rahul Gandhi's strong presence, regained ground.
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In addition to her electoral challenges, Irani faced controversies related to her tenure as Minister for Women and Child Development, where her initiatives to advance women’s empowerment were criticised for poor implementation. Furthermore, her educational background, which had previously been questioned, resurfaced as a point of contention during the 2024 elections, with accusations of inconsistencies in her academic qualifications.
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