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India Gujarat: Congress party concedes victory to Modi's BJP | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has held on to power in an election in his home state Gujarat but by a reduced margin. | |
As votes are counted after the state elections, the BJP is leading in 99 of the 182 assembly seats, according to election authorities. The main opposition Congress is ahead in 77. | |
Gujarat is a stronghold state for the BJP, which has governed for 22 years. | Gujarat is a stronghold state for the BJP, which has governed for 22 years. |
The Congress has conceded victory to the BJP. | |
The BJP also won in Himachal Pradesh - where it is leading in 44 of the 65 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 21. | |
Mr Modi tweeted, thanking voters in both states while assuring them of economic development. | |
The results of the election signal a win for the "politics of development", BJP president Amit Shah said, speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters in Delhi. | |
The BJP's majority had been under threat from the opposition alliance, polls suggested. | |
In 2012, the BJP won 116 seats, while Congress won 61. | In 2012, the BJP won 116 seats, while Congress won 61. |
Stock markets have recovered after opening lower on Monday after early results had put the Congress ahead. | |
Mr Modi was chief minister of Gujarat three times and his track record there helped propel him to success in national elections. To lose the state polls would have been a huge loss of face. | Mr Modi was chief minister of Gujarat three times and his track record there helped propel him to success in national elections. To lose the state polls would have been a huge loss of face. |
He held more than three dozen meetings in the state and campaigned on economic development and Hindu nationalism to woo voters. | He held more than three dozen meetings in the state and campaigned on economic development and Hindu nationalism to woo voters. |
The prime minister's decision to ban high-value currency notes in November 2016 and the way the newly introduced Goods and Services Tax was implemented are believed to have fuelled anger against the party in Gujarat. | |
State BJP member R Bala told Reuters news agency the election had been the "toughest" they had fought there. | |
Polling in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh was held between 9 and 14 December. | Polling in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh was held between 9 and 14 December. |
More than 68% of Gujarat's 43 million eligible voters cast their ballots, while Himachal Pradesh saw a voter turnout of about 74%. | More than 68% of Gujarat's 43 million eligible voters cast their ballots, while Himachal Pradesh saw a voter turnout of about 74%. |