Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing party yesterday snatched electoral victories in two key states, tightening its grip on power after storming to power five months ago in the national polls.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading in Maharashtra, whose capital is financial hub Mumbai, streaks ahead of its center-left rival Indian National Congress Party, which has ruled the western state for 15 years.
“BJP will definitely form the government in Maharashtra,” BJP state president Devendra Fadnavis said in Mumbai, flashing a victory sign, as vote counting continued.
Celebrations erupted at BJP headquarters in Mumbai, with supporters lighting firecrackers, feeding each other sweets, throwing flower petals and shouting: “Long live mother India.”
The ruling party also won in northern Haryana State, which borders New Delhi, handing the once-powerful National Congress another humiliating loss that ends its 10-year rule of the state.
The defeat dealt yet another blow for the ailing party, whose Gandhi dynasty has produced three prime ministers, following its thumping loss to the BJP in national elections in May.
“Like the Congress earlier got the mandate, now the BJP got the mandate and will form the government,” outgoing Chief Minister of Haryana B.S. Hooda said.
Modi, a popular leader and fiery orator, campaigned doggedly for the elections and the victories are likely to encourage him to push ahead with promised reforms, some of which could prove unpopular.
The nationalist leader won by a landslide in the national polls on a pledge to revive the ailing economy and clean up endemic corruption, but many of the reforms are yet to be introduced. On the eve of yesterday’s results, Modi’s government lifted controls on diesel prices, aiming to give market forces greater influence on the economy, attract investment and cut subsidies.
Success for the BJP will also strengthen its power in the national parliament’s upper house, crucial for passing contentious laws.
Delhi-based political analyst Samir Saran said the victories “allow greater space to Modi to accelerate his reforms agenda.”
Despite the wins, the BJP is expected to fall short of an outright majority in Maharashtra and may need a partner to form a government.
The Hindu nationalist party is expected to mend ties with its ally of 25 years in Maharashtra, the far-right Shiv Sena, after deciding to campaign alone following an acrimonious split.
The BJP has won or was leading in 120 seats in Maharashtra, in tallies on the Indian Election Commission’s Web site, while Congress was trailing with 43 in the 288-seat state assembly. Shiv Sena was leading in 59 seats.
In Haryana, the ruling party was ahead in 49 of the 90 seats up for grabs, while National Congress was leading in just 15 seats.
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