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Narendra Modi’s BJP set to make major gains in Indian state elections Narendra Modi’s BJP set to make major gains in Indian state elections
(34 minutes later)
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata party was poised to win elections in two state legislatures where it has been on the fringes for many years, several exit polls predicted. India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata party is poised to win elections in two state legislatures where it has been on the fringes for many years, several exit polls have predicted.
At least four polls released late on Wednesday showed the BJP with either a majority or a significant number of seats in the western state of Maharashtra and the northern state of Haryana, both currently ruled by the Congress party.At least four polls released late on Wednesday showed the BJP with either a majority or a significant number of seats in the western state of Maharashtra and the northern state of Haryana, both currently ruled by the Congress party.
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, who won a huge mandate in national elections earlier this year, aggressively campaigned in both states.India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, who won a huge mandate in national elections earlier this year, aggressively campaigned in both states.
The results are expected to strengthen his hand and help him push through sweeping economic reforms. Final results from the elections are expected on Sunday.The results are expected to strengthen his hand and help him push through sweeping economic reforms. Final results from the elections are expected on Sunday.
State elections decide who controls the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s parliament. Maharashtra sends 19 lawmakers to the 245-member Rajya Sabha and Haryana sends five. While the Lok Sabha, or lower house, is significantly more powerful, the Rajya Sabha can delay legislation’s approval. State elections decide who controls the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s parliament. Maharashtra sends 19 lawmakers to the 245-member Rajya Sabha and Haryana sends five. While the Lok Sabha – the lower house – is significantly more powerful, the Rajya Sabha can delay the approval of legislation.
A victory in the recent elections would also show that Modi and his rightwing party are continuing to make progress in regions where the Congress party has held sway. A victory in the recent elections would also show that Modi and his rightwing party were continuing to make progress in regions where the Congress party has held sway.
In many ways the results appear more about Mode’s popularity than about his party’s overall appeal. Modi is widely seen as a leader who can turn around India’s sluggish economy and attract more foreign investment. In many ways the results appear more about Modi’s popularity than about his party’s overall appeal. Modi is widely seen as a leader who can turn around India’s sluggish economy and attract more foreign investment.
He made dozens of speeches in both states, and television and radio advertisements before the polls exhorted voters to cast their vote for Modi. Last month, his party fared badly in byelections when he wasn’t the party’s star campaigner. He made dozens of speeches in both states, and television and radio advertisements before the polls exhorted voters to cast their vote for Modi. Last month, his party fared badly in byelections when he wasn’t its star campaigner.
In Maharashtra, both the Congress and BJP have ended longtime political alliances, choosing to fight the election on their own. Two exit polls showed the BJP inching past the majority mark on its own while two others showed it as the single largest party but short of a majority.In Maharashtra, both the Congress and BJP have ended longtime political alliances, choosing to fight the election on their own. Two exit polls showed the BJP inching past the majority mark on its own while two others showed it as the single largest party but short of a majority.
Maharashtra is home to Mumbai, the country’s financial capital.Maharashtra is home to Mumbai, the country’s financial capital.