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Maharashtra and Haryana: Trends show mixed results for ruling BJP Maharashtra and Haryana: Ruling BJP headed for mixed results
(about 3 hours later)
Early trends show India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to win a key state election but may lose another. India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lost majority in a key state election.
The BJP is set to retain power in the western state of Maharashtra, but it may fall short of a clear majority in the northern state of Haryana. It has won or is leading in 38 seats in the northern state of Haryana, which is eight short of the simple majority needed to retain power.
The controversial decision to strip Indian-administered Kashmir of its autonomy was the BJP's key poll plank. The party and its ally, Shiv Sena, have held onto power in the western state of Maharashtra, but trends suggest they may lose 26 of their seats.
The polls were seen as a referendum on PM Narendra Modi's Kashmir policy. The results are being seen as a temporary setback for PM Narendra Modi.
On Thursday, local elections are also being held in Indian-administered Kashmir. But with most of the state's political leaders in detention, and a crippling communications blockade that is now in its second month, opposition leaders are calling the elections a "sham" and a "joke on democracy". Mr Modi led his party's campaign from the front and the controversial decision to strip Indian-administered Kashmir of its autonomy was the BJP's key poll plank. The polls were seen as a referendum on the party's Kashmir policy.
These polls are the first in the region since the government changed its status. On Thursday, local elections were also held in Indian-administered Kashmir. But with most of the state's political leaders in detention, and a crippling communications blockade that is now in its second month, opposition leaders called the elections a "sham" and a "joke on democracy".
But in the other states, the BJP used its Kashmir move to tell voters that the party had the ability to take tough decisions on national security. It largely relied on Mr Modi's policy of muscular nationalism and local issues were less talked about in its campaigns. These polls were the first in the region since the government changed its status.
Maharashtra witnessed aggressive campaigning by the prime minister and several federal ministers. Its ally Shiv Sena also held rallies across the state. In the other states, the BJP used its Kashmir move to tell voters that the party had the ability to take tough decisions on national security. It largely relied on Mr Modi's policy of muscular nationalism and local issues were less talked about in its campaigns.
Haryana, which borders the Indian capital, Delhi, also witnessed rallies and aggressive campaigning by the BJP. Both Maharashtra and Haryana witnessed aggressive campaigning by the prime minister and several federal ministers. Shiv Sena also held rallies across Maharashtra where it's a key regional ally.
Nevertheless, the Congress party is projected to increase its vote share in Haryana, upsetting the BJP's mission of retaining power. Several BJP ministers are trailing. In Haryana, although the BJP is still projected to be the single-largest party, trends suggest a hung assembly.
The BJP is still projected to be the single-largest party, but it will need support from the regional Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) to form a government. The Congress has won or is leading in 33 seats, while several BJP ministers, including seven from the state's cabinet, are trailing with huge margins.
It's not clear whether the JJP will support the Congress or the BJP. So any party will need support from the regional Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) to form a government. But it's not yet clear whether the JJP will support the Congress or the BJP.