Indian states vote in key test for Modi and rivals ahead of next general election
Voting has commenced in two of the five Indian states scheduled to elect new legislatures this month, setting the stage for a significant test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's prospects for securing a third term in the national election slated for May.
Premier Modi and leaders of the main opposition Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, have been extensively campaigning across these five states. Their campaign strategies include promises of financial aid, agricultural loan forgiveness, subsidies, and insurance coverage, among other incentives, in an effort to win over voters.
Rahul Gandhi has been instrumental in rejuvenating the Congress party since its significant defeat in the 2019 general elections. He has also spearheaded an alliance comprising 28 regional parties, aiming to present a more formidable challenge to Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Despite these efforts, surveys suggest that Narendra Modi remains a popular figure after serving a decade in power and is likely to secure a third term.
The newly formed opposition coalition, known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), has encountered difficulties in maintaining unity during this month's state elections due to local rivalries, giving the BJP an advantage.
The state elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram primarily boil down to a contest between the BJP and Congress.
These regional polls, held in four phases until November 30, allow over 160 million eligible voters to participate, constituting roughly one-sixth of India's total electorate. The votes in all five states will be tallied on December 3, with results expected on the same day. This electoral exercise is a crucial indicator of the political landscape leading up to the eagerly awaited 2024 general election.
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