Millions of Indians cast their ballots Wednesday in crucial state elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, providing a key test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, The Associated Press reports.
The results, to be announced Saturday, carry significant weight for Modi’s government, coming just months after a less-than-victorious national election and amid growing concerns about the economy.
Maharashtra, India’s wealthiest state and home to Mumbai, is currently governed by a BJP-led coalition. In Jharkhand, a mineral-rich eastern state, an opposition alliance led by the Congress party holds power. Both states witnessed large rallies by Modi in the lead-up to the vote.
Political analyst Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of a Modi biography, suggests that a BJP loss in either state would significantly impact Modi’s leadership and the party’s prospects in upcoming elections in Delhi and Bihar next year. “It will have repercussions for the BJP,” he stated.
The BJP’s recent victory in Haryana state elections in October, against pre-election polling predictions, offered a boost after their national election performance. Similarly, the Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, secured a victory in Jammu and Kashmir’s local elections, albeit in alliance with the National Conference.
In Jharkhand, the BJP is actively vying to unseat the Congress-led coalition. Maharashtra’s electorate, comprising nearly 80% Hindus and 11.5% Muslims, presents a complex landscape. Mukhopadhyay notes a perceived trend towards communalizing the election campaign by BJP leaders, interpreting it as a sign of the party’s growing desperation.
Pre-election surveys suggest an advantage for the opposition alliance in Maharashtra, comprising the Congress party, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party. This alliance won 30 out of 48 seats in the state during the June national elections, while the BJP and its allies secured 17.
The Congress party and its allies are capitalizing on public discontent regarding youth unemployment, inflation, and low crop prices. In contrast, the BJP is targeting women voters with a scheme offering a monthly stipend of ₹1,500 ($18) to eligible women. The Congress party, if elected, promises double that amount plus free public transportation.
