ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the 2014 Indian general election resulted in a clear mandate in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The 2014 elections have made the BJP into a truly national party with significant presence in almost all parts of the country. The chapter demonstrates that there has been a clear shift in the ideological middle ground of Indian politics. This shift has not occurred with respect to social issues, but there has been a clear rightward shift on issues related to the role of state in the economy. The chapter argues that the BJP was able to put together this coalition of social and economic conservatives at least in part because of the administrative failures of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in the years preceding the 2014 election. It also demonstrates that a large 'Modi effect' propelled the BJP to victory in the 2014 elections. Finally, the chapter concludes by highlighting the limits of ideological consolidation.
