2024: The Election that Surprised India

by Rajdeep Sardesai

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

480 pages, Hardcover

Published January 23, 2025

About the author

Rajdeep Sardesai is an Indian news anchor and author.

Reviews

[Omkar R. K · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may differ ideologically with Rajdeep Sardesai, but his book 2024: The Election That Surprised India is a must-read if you are interested in Indian politics. With his vast contacts in media and political circles, Rajdeep has written a book filled with deep insights into the 2024 general election.

The chapterization is excellent, starting with “Ab ki Baar, Char Char Sau Paar: The Gods That Failed” and concluding with “Modi vs Rahul: What Lies Ahead.” As a regular viewer of The Lallantop’s weekly political show Netanagari, where Rajdeep is a founding pillar, I noticed that some of the insights shared in this book were mentioned on the show earlier. However, the book goes much deeper into BJP’s election strategies and uncovers shocking details, such as how the BJP allegedly controls media houses.

You won’t believe the extent to which BJP reportedly uses state power to threaten news organizations. If you oppose the state supremo, you either face collapse or are brutally punished by state-owned agencies through various means. No one is spared—not even their own party members—as they are barred from asking unsettling questions to Modi. The book presents a chilling picture of how central agencies have failed to uphold the democratic values of the country.

Rajdeep also describes how the 2024 election lacked a level playing field, with detailed references to disparities in financial funding and media coverage. Opposition parties were left with little room to maneuver. While every political party might have 11 players on the field, BJP had a 12th—the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The book explains in detail how this agency was allegedly used in favor of the central government, including the example of the ED’s role in toppling Maharashtra’s MVA government.

One of the most interesting chapters, “Hamare Saath ED Hai: Washing Machine Politics,” provides insights into how opposition politicians were brought into BJP’s fold for electoral benefit. This raised serious concerns within the Sangh and its ground-level cadre.

This book is fascinating and thought-provoking. I cannot possibly summarize all the information it contains; it’s better that you read it yourself. Whether you are a supporter of BJP, INC, or any other party, books like these are essential to understanding the current political landscape of India. If you’re interested in politics, this book won’t bore you—it’s written in an accessible, engaging style and is an easy read.

[Umesh Kesavan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rajdeep Sardesai, the newsman, is in fine form here as he chronicles the travails and moods of every major political player over the 2019-2024 election cycle. A particular highlight is the chapter wherein he profiles 10 MPs who defied odds and money power to emerge as inspirational victors. But the problem with Rajdeep the commentator is his desperation to keep showing that he is neutral with his "On the other hand" narratives. He will do well to remember Desmond Tutu : "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor"

[Kartik Chauhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Propulsive, shocking and comprehensive—this is THE book to read about the countless and mostly meaningless gymnastics in Indian politics in the last five years, which despite their absurdity have affected our lives in massive ways.

[Nirmit Trivedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is basically a report card for Modi govt and how the election 2024 phased out. Really loved the details and this book unapologetically showcase everything that happened during 2019-24 governance. Highly recommend!!!!!

[Piyush Mahajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good refresher of Indian political events from 2019 to 2024. I appreciate Rajdeep's courage to sharply criticise ruling dispensation.

[Vijay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Run of the mill election book from Rajdeep. Nothing surprising, but definitely captures the undercurrents of the 2024 Lol Sabha Election.

[Ankur Chopra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent recap of all the major social, political and economical occurrences that happened in the 2019-2024 phase, leading up to the general elections. This book is a must for anyone who wants to remember, with great clarity, one of the most tumultuous times that our great country had to go through in a span of 5 years.

Observed through the vantage point of a national level and one of the long standing journalists of the country, Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai, it is a vivid account of all the critical events that happened in India in a 5 year phase. The book covers occurrences like COVID and the (mis)management around it, rise of autocracy in the garb of democracy, Farmer's revolt, all sorts of political and religion related games played at state as well as national level, rise of a possible challenger to the people currently in power and possible demise of media as the 4th pillar of democracy.

This is the 2nd book by Mr. Sardesai that I have read, 1st one being Democracy XI and I like the research that he does and the flow his writings have. This one had the same smooth flow and interconnectedness of topics.

Mr. Sardesai doesn't shy away from calling a spade a spade (an extreme rarity in current India unfortunately) and while his account can be seen as a biased version of the past 5 years, what should be kept in mind while reading this is the premise of the book. It shows everything that happened "as is" which led to the surprising results of the 2024 general elections.

So, while people can agree to disagree with what Mr. Sardesai has written in this book, quite possibly even troll him, this was actually required to be written so that the dark reality of that phase cannot be dusted away due to short term memory of public or the attention diverting rhetoric by the government which has kind of become an unfortunate norm these days.

[Sakyy Sakyy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great overview of the politics leading up to 2024 general election, especially for someone who didn't track it or for people to learn more about these years in retrospect. It serves a better function as political history critical of BJP than anything else. However the look at the opposition parties or movements isn't the best one or one that does them justice in my opinion, even as criticism. And lastly and more significantly there's little value given to the analysis and reading of the election campaign and results itself, as it seems quite surface-level and the author seems reluctant to give a deeper analysis or even pose more intellectually stimulating questions or theories about it.

He has said outside of the book that a post-poll analysis of elections is more sensible and useful than a pre-poll prediction, but there isn't such an attempt to do that for the very election that this book is centred around.

Otherwise it's a very useful read for someone wanting to catch-up on the 2019-24 politics in India specifically looking at the national BJP and union government.

[Geo Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting read, miles better than his 2014 and 2019 analyses of the Indian elections.

It's got me rethinking my political views for sure. While I had basically resigned myself into thinking the BJP was a means to a greater good (questionable idealogy for sure, but the country's doing good was my line of thinking), I now see that this is not too different a view from Evangelical Americans who see the morally corrupt Trump whose life is a testimony against every single Christian virtue, as an acceptable means to their goal. The level of detail that the author has provided - my God, I knew things were bad. Didn't realize they were that bad.

Brilliant book, anyone who is interested in modern Indian politics must read Rajdeep Sardesai's trilogy covering Indian elections in the Modi era.

[Vinod Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great read to improve overall General understanding of whats happening though this seems to be big time biased. but its fun to put yourself in his mind ! Imagine you are sitting on the periphery and can't do a thing about the fact that you hate someone but he is going places and pushing aside everything because of the power of the masses. Rajdeep is well read /connected and that comes out - however he seem to be a tad bit desperate to undermine leadership.. after all did not see a single instance of support . am sure its is his life's mission but its a Tough Pill to swallow . Feel sad that his tribe is increasing in their not so neutral positions !

[siddhant. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 2024 election surprised even those among us who follow politics judiciously. Marked by Rajdeep Sardesai's knack for telling stories, the new book aims to break down what humbled the seemingly invincible prime minister. If you can keep the obvious political bias of the author aside, it makes for an interesting read; the book picks up where his last book, 2019: How Modi Won India, ends and follows the events leading up to the verdict that surprised India.

[Charit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 3rd book of the Indian federal elections trilogy and nicely done. It’s the kind of book that is especially useful for some of us who don’t live through India’s politics day in and day out. Sardesai doesn’t hide his preferences but he gives dues to the other side when they deserve it. Politics in India - not for the faint hearted - but the voter shows up and surprises every 5 years.

[Palwai]

Completed reading
"2024: The Election That Surprised India"
by @SardesaiRajdeep.
A brilliant chronicle of the most complex elections to be ever held on the surface of the earth!
This is a textbook for each one of those interested in politics, history, and even moral science.

[Soham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A primer and a recap of the political events that took place in India during and after the 2019 elections which set the stage for 2024 elections. Covid, Farmers Protests, India Alliance, Resurgence of Rahul’s image and everything in between.

[Joshua Castelino · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!!

[Abhinav Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing overview for last 5 years in India

[Spine Dining · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent summary from all the notes he has taken in his professional life this far. five star, text book journalism!

[Parijat Prasun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will be my reference for all future discussions.

[Immortal Joker · Rating 2 out of 5]

unnecessarily lenghty