3. 2014 Lok Sabha Elections
The most exciting event of 2014 was the General Elections. Running in nine phases from 7 April to 12 May 2014, it was the longest election in the country's history.
According to the Election Commission of India, 814.5 million people were eligible to vote, with an increase of 100 million voters since the last general election in 2009, making it the largest-ever election in the world.
Escalating number of scams, unemployment, decline in GDP or in other words – Anti- incumbency prevailed in the country. The citizens had seen UPA government's performance and were eager for change.
All political parties had already started preparations for the polls in 2013 but since January 2014, the election festival was bright in full swing.
Election time is always exciting, but never before has it been as engaging as this one. A total of 8,251 candidates contested for the 543 Lok Sabha seats. The average election turnout over all nine phases was around 66.38%, the highest ever in the history of Indian general elections.
Important issues during the campaign included high inflation, lack of jobs, economic slow down, corruption, security and terrorism, religious division and communalism, and infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water.
2014 General Elections also saw a large number of celebrity participation.
These included: Babul Supriyo (BJP), Nagma (actress) (INC), Bappi Lahiri (BJP), Gul Panag (AAP), Kirron Kher (BJP), Moon Moon Sen (TMC), Nandan Nilekani (INC), Paresh Rawal (BJP), Hema Malini (BJP), Shatrughan Sinha (BJP) and Smriti Irani (BJP).
Bollywood's item girl Rakhi Sawant formed her own party – RAP (Rashtriya Aam Party) and opted for green chilly as the party symbol. She managed to scrape 15 votes from North West Mumbai Constituency.
Narendra Modi stole the limelight. Arvind Kejriwal also managed to remain a highlight. Congress was for the first time not in focus owing to anti-incumbency and corruption factors. Rahul Gandhi's unimpressive speeches added to the party's dismay.
