India's BJP set to lose key state in a blow to PM Modi
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India's ruling party looked set to lose power in at least one of three traditional stronghold states releasing election results on Tuesday, in a blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of national polls in 2019.
Early election results in the central state of Chhattisgarh indicated the main opposition Congress party of Rahul Gandhi would win 59 seats compared to just 11 for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Hindu nationalist BJP has ruled Chhattisgarh for the past 15 years.
Read: Modi defeats no trust vote, Rahul wins confidence
The race looked closer in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, two other traditional strongholds of Modi's BJP that were also counting votes following elections in the states this month and last.
In central Madhya Pradesh, home to 73 million people, early results put the BJP neck-and-neck with Congress, as observers said it was too early to call the result either way.
Similarly in the western desert state of Rajasthan — ruled by the BJP's Vasundhara Raje, a maharani or princess — Modi's party was predicted to win 74 seats compared to 97 for Congress.
Television footage showed Congress workers bursting firecrackers and dancing at regional party offices in both states.
Tuesday's results are being seen as a referendum on 68-year-old Modi, who will be seeking a second term in the office in national elections due by May 2019.
Defeats in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan would dent his invincible image and put the party on the back foot.
It would also strengthen 48-year-old Gandhi — scion of the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty — with Congress having lost more than a dozen states to the BJP since Modi became prime minister in 2014.
The BJP currently rules 19 out of 29 Indian states either outright or in alliance with local parties. Congress rules just two states, including one in alliance with a regional partner.
Political commentators have linked the BJP's apparent dwindling support to growing rural distress and unemployment rates in the country.
Nearly 55 percent of India's 1.25 billion population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, and farmers form an important voting bloc for parties.
In two other states also releasing results on Tuesday, Telangana in the south and remote Mizoram in the northeast, regional parties looked to be leading.
Gandhi's Congress is leading efforts to stitch a larger alliance of regional parties to take on the BJP next year, convening a meeting to this effect on Monday in Delhi.
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Comments (75) Closed
Dec 11, 2018 02:36pm
Temporary setback.
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Dec 11, 2018 02:45pm
Nice balanced reporting. This also means that BJP is unlikely to have a control over Rajya Sabha even if it manages to win Lok Sabha in 2019. Modi may weaken somewhat within BJP. 70% of the candidates for whom Yogi Adityanath he made his communal campaign lost their elections so he is turning into a liability. Meanwhile congress has come on the promise of loan waivers which is concerning for fiscal discipline. Big win for people nevertheless who continue to be king makers
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Dec 11, 2018 02:51pm
Maybe the reason he's not getting enough votes is because all his voters are too busy posting comments on Pakistani news sites like this one.
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Dec 11, 2018 02:58pm
Demonetization, by Modi is one of the reasons, common Indians are angry. Loss of small scale business and Industries have suffered, leading to closure and unemployment.
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Dec 11, 2018 02:58pm
He is coming back with a bang in 2019.
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Dec 11, 2018 02:59pm
PM Modi promised of putting 15 lacs in every ones pocket if he comes to power, the biggest scam ever.
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Dec 11, 2018 03:05pm
Modi was helping his friends, the Ambanis and other industrialists for “ make in India “. Took away lands from the poor, never paid them, so even the bullet train project farmers lands were taken and they were not paid. The Rafael French Aircraft is going to cost Modi for loosing elections.
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Dec 11, 2018 03:08pm
Don't rejoice, Modi will still be the PM in 2019.
Congress is the most corrupt family party, and there is no alternative to Modi for a distance.
Mark my words !!
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Dec 11, 2018 03:10pm
5 years, Modi Bhai, virtually did nothing for the country.
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Dec 11, 2018 03:12pm
Big blow for BJP in key state elections. But it is good for BJP so that they could go with a new strategy in the parliamentary election next year.
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Dec 11, 2018 03:19pm
Modi is losing because the Indian people are getting fed up of politics of hate which does not feed the 90% poverty stricken public.
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Dec 11, 2018 03:33pm
Rahul, get ready, next election Modi will be out.
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Dec 11, 2018 03:38pm
In Rajasthan people were against Vasundhara Raje Scindia. People are not happy with her. However most say that they will prefer Modi at Central government and non Vasundhara Raje at State.
Essentially people are making a clear distinction between state and central elections. In MP anti incumbency was strong.
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Dec 11, 2018 03:45pm
seat of Chhattisgarh Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh demonetization eaten
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Dec 11, 2018 03:45pm
Employment, Education & Social Security are the real issues, you can't always befool the people by invented issues like Religion, Statue & Renaming ! Latest News is NDA can't form the Government in 5 States !
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Dec 11, 2018 03:45pm
Hope it can onset new relationship between the two neighboring countries. Peace and dialogue is the only way forward. With the opening of karatpor corridor and now Modi losing, may start a new era.
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Dec 11, 2018 03:47pm
Hard time for World leader...
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Dec 11, 2018 03:54pm
Have Indians finally woken up and smelled the coffee on hate politics?
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Dec 11, 2018 04:01pm
Revolt against ruling party is natural. However BJP should wake up now and correct their mistakes.
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Dec 11, 2018 04:06pm
It is a blow to the country, not to honorable Prime Minister.
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Dec 11, 2018 04:09pm
Reversing SC/ST act verdict of supreme court by ordinance is the biggest mistake by BJP. Always suppressing Generals won't work.
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Dec 11, 2018 04:12pm
These are just state elections.Looking at Modis popularity and bold reforms it would be wise for Congress party not to waste energy in 2019 general election and start preparing for 2024.
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Dec 11, 2018 04:25pm
Its Anti Incumbency factor which worked for Congress because people want change in govt after certain period (mostly 10yrs) explains why BJP lost Chattisgarh,MP and Rajasthan.One more reason is BJP didn't give importance to regional parties and failed to address their problems.Its Amit Shah's fault of playing politics BJP paid their price.But still majority will any day choose Modi over Rahul (Pappu Gandhi) because we have no choice.Little jolt is needed to keep them in track.No one is above people mandate.Remember even Indira lost elections.
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Dec 11, 2018 04:26pm
While Chattisgarh is due to incumbancy factor of 15 years of BJP rule.
Bjap though lost Rajasthan, but put up a very good fight surprising every one who pridicted heavy feat before polls.
Madhya Pradesh, BJP still has the chance as fight is neck to neck with congress. Equity Market is up due to better than expected results for BJP
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Dec 11, 2018 04:27pm
He will come back with us thumping victory.
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Dec 11, 2018 05:12pm
Hope this serves as a good eye opener for BJP. They played in hand of opposition during election campaign & indulged into topics other than development. I've been to these states during Congress Government & just recently (after BJP rule of more than 10 years). During BJP rule infrastructure of these states has improved so much that it puts them at par with other top states, Now time to accelerate industrialization but they've axed their own feet
Modi is not communal, he is about development & performance. He has guts to give bitter medicines to public in order to cure decease contaminated due to congress rule. Only if public can understand the same.
Fingers crossed for 2019...
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Dec 11, 2018 05:34pm
That's Indian public for you. No one can take them for granted. That is the real power of democracy.
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Dec 11, 2018 05:35pm
In fact, out of all 5 states, BJP has not won even in a singe state. Much needed defeat for balance of power! I voted for Modi in 2014, not going to in 2019. I am disappointed. Whom to vote is not a question these days, just 'against' whom to vote matters. These people are as much corrupt as the congress if not more. All can't hide behind the persona of Modi.
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Dec 11, 2018 05:36pm
Despite all the hate and scaremongering...
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Dec 11, 2018 05:38pm
This will send warning signals to Modi to pull up his socks. BJP will still win 2019 elections.
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Dec 11, 2018 05:38pm
A tribute to Indian democracy
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Dec 11, 2018 05:42pm
This the end of MODI/RSS/BJP rule in India forever.
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Dec 11, 2018 06:04pm
This is called democracy, I voted for Modi ji in 2014 but will vote for Rahul Gandhi in 2019.......
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Dec 11, 2018 06:24pm
BJP taught CONgress good lesson not to undermine and underestimate power of common men.
CONgress is almost defunct. The structural reforms and radical steps to curb corruption with demonization and gst is not easy pills and BJP is not naive to not know consequences of these on poll results. Yet BJP had the courage to take decisions for larger good of Bharat. Losing few state elections due to incubancy factor will not take away the work and course correction BJP brought to the nation which is still on duress with CONgress's dynastic and minority appeasement vote bank politics filled with corruption.
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Dec 11, 2018 06:32pm
Even after ruling for 15 years, BJP performance is not at all bad .
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Dec 11, 2018 06:39pm
India back on democracy & secularism...
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Dec 11, 2018 06:39pm
Not surprising, this is the beginning of the end of Modi
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Dec 11, 2018 06:52pm
Like him or loathe him, a vast majority of people in India have faith in him. They will give him one more term to prove himself than if he fails they will kick him out in true democratic fashion.
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Dec 11, 2018 07:00pm
@Shailesh, Delhi, The margin of winning in MP and Rajasthan doesn't make Congress biggest party in the RS as members are elected for 6 years and so the strength reflects much later. Modi has now more numbers in RS than Congress which was reduced to 44 in LS but held on due to numbers in RS.
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Dec 11, 2018 07:02pm
In 3 of these states BJP was incumbent, 2 of them for more than 10 years. Sometimes we must allow fresh leadership to take the lead. This only makes our democracy more mature and development oriented.
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Dec 11, 2018 07:05pm
In economics there is the law of Diminishing Marginal Utility. One cannot eat ice cream every day of the year. One needs a change after being satiated with ice cream, and that is exactly what has happened with the voters in Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh where BJP has ruled for the lat 15 years. As for Rajasthan, no government has served two consecutive terms and so, the results are not surprising. Telegana was always non BJP bastion, however, the loss of Mizoram should worry the Congress. While BJP has to introspect, rest assured that PM Modi is coming back in 2019.
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Dec 11, 2018 07:31pm
@Zak "90% Indians are poverty stricken" - Why did you leave the remaining 10% Indians out of the poverty rate? Do you like repeatedly making a fool of yourself by giving ridiculously inaccurate stats about India's poverty despite being corrected on numerous occasions with credible references?
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Dec 11, 2018 07:48pm
He is still PM.
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Dec 11, 2018 07:52pm
Whatever is happening in state elections will ultimately help India and Indian people. Now, Central govt has to come up with new strategy and actions to show they are still good, while new govt in the 3 states will have to perform great before the 2019 elections to mark their presence, ultimately democracy will win.
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Dec 11, 2018 08:05pm
@Shailesh, Delhi, Next Govt of Congress coalition.
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Dec 11, 2018 08:10pm
@Nair, give us a break. Convenient to use the term, 'anti-incumbancy'. If a government performs well, people will vote it in, any number of times. Else, they vote it out. Simple. Dont insult the public's wisdom.
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Dec 11, 2018 08:12pm
@Swetha, Grow up
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Dec 11, 2018 08:14pm
In a democracy, don't write off of any party. Modi wanted a 'Congress-mukht Bharat'. Well, democracy wins. People are wiser than all politicians and parties put together.
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Dec 11, 2018 08:56pm
Two self goals by the way of demonetisation and GST have cost BJP the match. People who had voted for BJP in 2014 rejoice over the results than anyone else. If the terror of demonetisation and GST were not unleashed on the poor people this BJP government would go on and go on for another fifty years without any interruption. But Time is the greatest power which knows how to settle scores. Will be pleased to have a repeat of this results in 2019 for the sake of people who were put to untold miseries by demonetisation and GST .
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Dec 11, 2018 08:59pm
@Shubhendu varshney, The same here. Reasons demonetisation and GST.
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Dec 11, 2018 09:11pm
BJP is loosing because it only depends upon development, BJP should come clear about Hindutava to win 2019
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Dec 11, 2018 09:15pm
This is how Indians give their approval/ disapproval. That is why Indian democracy is respected world wide. And there is no big brother to play behind the scene.
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Dec 11, 2018 09:27pm
Today elections result shows,why India is a largest Democratic country in the World.
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Dec 11, 2018 09:36pm
What did i predict on this forum earlier? Anyone remembers that?
Indian voter's coming out of Modi's syndrome, actually an illusion.
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Dec 11, 2018 10:05pm
Pro-BJP crowd on the Dawn website are in anger-and-denial mode. Soon they will be forced to accept the reality of defeat, and eventually come off their high horses to realize that India is not shining under BJP.
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Dec 11, 2018 10:05pm
I don't know how Indians could select a party which has failed them for over 50 years? Little as I know the Garibi Hatao slogan has been on for 50+ years and people are still poor.
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Dec 11, 2018 10:43pm
@Pawan, I am grown up buddy that's why I CAN VOTE! And also answer to people like u.
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Dec 11, 2018 10:44pm
It is a setback. If it is well deserved setback, then BJP has to up its game and do better. The chances of Congress doing better are fairly limited.
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Dec 11, 2018 11:06pm
Local corruption in STATES are main reason , and promising farmers to write off loans .
Modi will have hard time to win in 2019;but he will be PM.
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Dec 11, 2018 11:12pm
@Surya Kant Agrawal,
Dreaming is not a crime, but residing inside it is.
Even if Modi retained power in 2019, it will be under the umbrella of NDA, BJP is sure to lose majority in the upcoming elections with a loss of 60-100 lok sabha seats.
2024 is sure to end hindutva from the indian landscape.
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Dec 11, 2018 11:35pm
@HashBrown®,
Good assessment.
But the modi bhakts always had us believe modi victory everywhere.
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Dec 11, 2018 11:53pm
India is the biggest democray in the world. Voters are mature and choose what is right for them.
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Dec 12, 2018 12:16am
@Huma, Only Modi can do that, no body else will do that. Congress never made any bold initiative.
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Dec 12, 2018 12:29am
It will be wrong to say it is not a setback for Modi and BJP, however, no party can rule for ever. BJP ruled these states for multiple terms and also some mistakes which Congress encashed.
However, if BJP is smart enough, they should reconsider some of the policies. First thing they can do us to remove Yogi as CM. To me, Modi is still a front runner for the 2019 general elections. The GST implementation required lot of political muscles which no one in opposition had. BJP will emerge as single largest party in next general elections may be with less seats followed by Congress.
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Dec 12, 2018 01:34am
@Zak, "90 percent poverty sticken". It is not true. India has developed too much , even small state like kerala has 4 international airports.
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Dec 12, 2018 01:51am
@Zak, yeah religious fanatism isn’t encouraged in India may be you should take him, he will fit very well there.. and may be he can solve the 100% poverty issue in your country .. may be even open real schools.
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Dec 12, 2018 05:39am
@Varun, when and where did he say this?
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Dec 12, 2018 05:45am
@Jysen,
BJP won heavily in Uttar Pradesh immediately after demonitisation. It won many elections after GST implementation. For assembly elections, issues are local. In 2003 BJP won the assembly elections in these very states, but could not win any lok sabha seats.
So let's not write off BJP and Modi. The Congress has won just five elections since 2014.
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Dec 12, 2018 05:55am
@Asifnaqvi,
Now, you are dreaming, buddy.
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Dec 12, 2018 08:22am
corruption in ticket distribution made many local leaders to fight againest BJP.
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Dec 12, 2018 08:42am
It is not blow. The blow is being taken by Modi & his lovers.
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Dec 12, 2018 09:39am
It is not a defeat of PM Modi or BJP in real sense. It is defeat of those politicians who thought they have birth right to rule the mass and do nothing. It is a clear sign of maturity of Indian democracy.
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Dec 12, 2018 12:34pm
@Byju,
Denying the ground reality creates more illusions, distorts your analysis and it also detracks your futuristic projections. Indian voter has spoken at length. Modi and BJP should consider their "fault-lines" instead of keeping their past strategy intact.
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Dec 12, 2018 02:23pm
State election won by Congress without majority proves congress hacked it by false promises of waiving loan of farmers within 10 days of assuming office. 5-6 months later when General Election comes in 2019, people will understand this and again vote for Prime Minister Modi. Let us wait and watch and there will be voice of MODI, MODI, MODI
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Dec 12, 2018 07:24pm
It is a victory of democracy and people of India. An eye opener for BJP, though, there is no capable candidate for PM in Congress or other alliance party, this time, so, people of India may give one more chance to Modiji in 2019.
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