BJP dominates regional polls in three Indian states
India's ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victories in regional votes across three major states out of four, marking a substantial success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to the impending national elections expected by May.
Last month, the central states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, along with the southern state of Telangana, conducted provincial elections—the final round of regional polls before the national election, where Modi aims for a third term.
As per data from the independent election panel, BJP secured significant victories in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, wresting them from the primary opposition party, Congress, and retaining Madhya Pradesh.
The electoral outcome surpassed expectations, as various opinion and exit polls had forecasted a neck-and-neck battle between Modi's BJP and the Congress.
Modi maintains considerable popularity after a decade in power, with surveys indicating a potential victory for him in the upcoming national elections. Nevertheless, a coalition of 28 opposition parties, spearheaded by the Congress, has united to contest against the BJP, presenting a renewed challenge.
However, the coalition did not participate in the state elections due to internal conflicts, resulting in a direct face-off between the BJP and Congress.
Although Congress emerged victorious in Telangana, marking its second triumph in the southern region this year, Sunday's results are perceived as a setback. These four states collectively represent over 160 million voters and account for 82 seats in the 543-member parliament.
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