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| India Prime Minister in Bihar election setback | India Prime Minister in Bihar election setback |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has admitted defeat for his governing BJP in a key regional election in Bihar state. | The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has admitted defeat for his governing BJP in a key regional election in Bihar state. |
| The BJP was running against an alliance of parties in the state assembly. | |
| Mr Modi won a convincing victory in last year's national elections, but this poll was seen as a referendum on his economic programme. | Mr Modi won a convincing victory in last year's national elections, but this poll was seen as a referendum on his economic programme. |
| Defeat is a major setback, says the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi. | Defeat is a major setback, says the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi. |
| However, a spokesman for the Hindu-led nationalist party rejected suggestions the result for the state assembly was a personal blow for Mr Modi, saying the BJP "managed a creditable performance". | However, a spokesman for the Hindu-led nationalist party rejected suggestions the result for the state assembly was a personal blow for Mr Modi, saying the BJP "managed a creditable performance". |
| The prime minister had been hoping a victory in Bihar would boost his party's strength in India's upper house of parliament, which made up of representatives of state legislatures and where he lacks a majority. | The prime minister had been hoping a victory in Bihar would boost his party's strength in India's upper house of parliament, which made up of representatives of state legislatures and where he lacks a majority. |
| With votes still being counted, the anti-Modi alliance was ahead in 125 seats, compared with the BJP's 79 seats, out of 238 where the trends were clear. | With votes still being counted, the anti-Modi alliance was ahead in 125 seats, compared with the BJP's 79 seats, out of 238 where the trends were clear. |
| Bihar, in the north-east of the country, is one of India's largest states, with a population of 100 million, and is also one of the poorest. | Bihar, in the north-east of the country, is one of India's largest states, with a population of 100 million, and is also one of the poorest. |
| Analysis: Soutik Biwas, BBC News in Delhi | Analysis: Soutik Biwas, BBC News in Delhi |
| The BJP's defeat in Bihar is the second consecutive setback for the Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party since it swept to power in Delhi last year. | The BJP's defeat in Bihar is the second consecutive setback for the Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party since it swept to power in Delhi last year. |
| Earlier this year it suffered a drubbing at the hands of an upstart anti-corruption party in Delhi. Now a 'grand alliance' of powerful regional parties has handed out a defeat in what is one of India's most politically crucial states. | Earlier this year it suffered a drubbing at the hands of an upstart anti-corruption party in Delhi. Now a 'grand alliance' of powerful regional parties has handed out a defeat in what is one of India's most politically crucial states. |
| Despite what his defenders say, Sunday's defeat is another blow to the charismatic Mr Modi, who is arguably the party's biggest vote-getter and who attended 26 campaign rallies in Bihar ahead of the vote. The results make it clear that Mr Modi's vote-catching abilities are on the wane and voters are already holding him to the promises he made to them last year. | Despite what his defenders say, Sunday's defeat is another blow to the charismatic Mr Modi, who is arguably the party's biggest vote-getter and who attended 26 campaign rallies in Bihar ahead of the vote. The results make it clear that Mr Modi's vote-catching abilities are on the wane and voters are already holding him to the promises he made to them last year. |
| For India's bedraggled opposition, the Bihar victory is a major shot in the arm. They will now be emboldened to challenge Mr Modi by forging alliances and change the narrative of Indian politics. | For India's bedraggled opposition, the Bihar victory is a major shot in the arm. They will now be emboldened to challenge Mr Modi by forging alliances and change the narrative of Indian politics. |