First-timers have a majority of their own in Lok Sabha

At least 280 MPs have been elected for the first time in the 18th Lok Sabha election — up from 267 in the 2019 polls — in the 543-member House.

According to think-tank PRS Legislative Research 263 newly elected MPs have previously served as members of Lok Sabha. Additionally, 16 MPs have been members of Rajya Sabha, and one MP has served seven terms in Lok Sabha,

Uttar Pradesh, the largest state that sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha, elected 45 first-term members including actor Arun Govil from Meerut, Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma from Amethi and Chandrashekhar Azad from Nagina.

Of the re-elected MPs, eight changed their constituency, and one was re-elected from two constituencies. Nine re-elected MPs represented a different party in the 17th Lok Sabha, while eight others represented a party that split from their earlier party.

Out of the 53 ministers who contested, 35 have won. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the largest party in the new Lok Sabha with 240 seats. The next largest party is the Indian National Congress (INC) with 99 seats, followed by the Samajwadi Party with 37 seats.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised for a third term as the Election Commission of India (ECI) finalised results late Tuesday, albeit with fewer seats than anticipated by exit polls. Despite its “abki baar, 400-paar” slogan, the ruling alliance managed a below 300-tally mark of 293 seats.

The magic number to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha — an apparent guarantee of a stable government at the Centre — is 272.

Contrary to pollster predictions, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) mounted a formidable challenge, having won 234 seats. Key battleground states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan witnessed close contests.

With inputs from PTI.