Polling stations closed across five Indian states on Friday in local elections that could set the tone for the country's next general elections in May 2019.
The local elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana are being seen as a bellwether for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which swept the parliamentary elections in 2014.
Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan are currently ruled by the BJP, putting Modi's party in a head-to-head contest with India's main opposition Indian National Congress party.
Voting began on November 12 for the state legislative assemblies. Now that voting has ended, results are expected on Tuesday.
"The BJP faces major anti-incumbency in three states, but it's also a big test for the Congress party, which has lost every election to the BJP since 2014," political scientist Shyama Malik said.
Telangana, India's newest state, is ruled by a regional party, while the north-eastern state of Mizoram is ruled by the Congress opposition. Possible success of a coalition forged by the Congress in Telangana with a major regional party and a left party could encourage a larger coalition of opposition parties before the general elections, Malik said.
Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and Congress head Rahul Gandhi have all been star campaigners for their parties.
Major campaign issues have included corruption allegations against both parties in international defence deals; cancelling the debts of farmers; job prospects for Indian youth; and mob lynchings.
GMT 18:44 2018 Friday ,14 December
French police nationwide prepare for fifth wave of yellow vest protestsGMT 15:21 2018 Friday ,14 December
Al-Jaafari calls for stopping the politicization of humanitarian affair in SyriaGMT 11:25 2018 Friday ,14 December
Turkey will enter Syria’s Manbij if US doesn’t remove YPG fightersGMT 21:43 2018 Thursday ,13 December
EU leaders offer to 'demystify' Brexit deal but won't change backstopGMT 21:36 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Yemen's warring sides agree on ceasefire in embattled HodeidaGMT 12:28 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Russia points to efforts to undermine agreements on Idlib zoneGMT 11:44 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Daesh group destruction of rural Iraq hinders hundreds of thousands residents’ returnGMT 11:33 2018 Thursday ,13 December
UK’s PM Theresa May wins vote of confidence in her leadership while 117 voted against herMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor