Regional parties may be crucial in the NDA vs INDIA political scenario.

New Delhi witnessed a display of regional power on Tuesday as 63 regional parties gathered in Bengaluru and the national capital to showcase their strength ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While the attention was on these parties, it is the “non-aligned” regional parties that may hold the key to success for both the ruling NDA and the opposition’s ‘INDIA’ alliance. At least 12 regional parties with 91 members in Lok Sabha chose to stay away from the show of strength. These parties include YSR Congress Party, Biju Janata Dal, Bahujan Samaj Party, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Telugu Desam Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, All India United Democratic Front, Janata Dal, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, Indian National Lok Dal, and SAD. Some of these parties may eventually join one of the alliances, while others prefer to maintain their independence. Notably, three of these parties govern large states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha, which collectively send 63 members to Lok Sabha. It will be interesting to see the role these parties play in the upcoming elections.