India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to have lost two crucial provincial elections to the main opposition Congress party and its allies, according to exit polls. This marks another setback for the BJP, following its poor performance in recent national elections.
Local media reported that Congress is leading in exit polls in the northern state of Haryana, signaling the end of a decade-long rule by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP in the state. The opposition also holds a narrow lead in the Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir.
The elections, held in phases, concluded on Saturday, with vote counting set for Tuesday, when the final results will be announced. Exit polls were released late on Saturday.
While exit polls—conducted by private firms, including TV broadcasters—have a mixed track record in India, analysts highlight the challenges of predicting outcomes in such a vast and diverse electorate.
Earlier this year, exit polls had projected a major victory for Modi’s BJP in the general election in June. However, the party fell short of expectations and had to rely on regional parties to form a coalition government.
The provincial elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir are the first since the national elections, with Maharashtra and Jharkhand slated to follow. Election dates for these regions are expected in November.
The Jammu and Kashmir election is the first in a decade for the conflict-ridden region, which has faced years of militant violence. It remains India’s only Muslim-majority territory and has been at the center of a long-standing dispute with Pakistan since 1947.
In 2019, Modi’s government revoked the region’s semi-autonomous status, claiming the move would restore stability and drive development in the area.
Source: Reuters
