India begins counting votes in four crucial state elections

Counting of votes began on Monday in four crucial state elections in India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party projected to win two of them, boosting his image nearly half-way through his third term in office.

Counting of votes began in the eastern and border states of Assam and West Bengal, the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, as well as the federally administered territory of Puducherry began at 8 a.m. (0230 GMT) on Monday.

Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has never ruled the eastern state of West Bengal, where it has fought a pitched battle against one of its most vocal opponents, Mamata Banerjee, who has led the state for three straight terms.

A loss for Banerjee, projected by exit polls, will likely to weaken the opposition in the lead-up to general elections in 2029, analysts said.

A BJP-led alliance has ruled Assam, which borders neighbouring Bangladesh, for the last 10 years.

It is projected to easily win a majority and return to power for a third straight term.

In Tamil Nadu, a major industrial hub for electronics and automobiles, the ruling regional DMK party’s alliance was projected to win a second straight term.

In Kerala, the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) and its allies are likely to lose to an opposition alliance led by the Congress party in a tight race, exit polls showed.

The outcome of the state elections are not expected to impact policy or politics at the federal level.‑Reuters