After the BJP secured victories in three out of four states whose results were declared on Sunday, the global media praised the outcome as an ‘expansion of PM Modi’s dominance,’ emphasizing its significance leading up to the Lok Sabha elections next year.
The Washington Post, a prominent US daily, published an in-depth article applauding the BJP’s remarkable poll wins in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, describing the mandates as ‘crucial.’ The report highlighted the pivotal nature of the elections, setting India’s opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party in anticipation of the upcoming national vote.
International media outlets echoed the sentiment that the triumphs in these three states would bolster PM Modi’s chances of achieving a hat-trick of electoral victories and securing a third consecutive term in the country’s highest office. Al Jazeera ran a headline stating, “India’s BJP wins three of four state polls months before the national election,” characterizing the BJP’s victories as ‘historic and unprecedented.’
The UK-based news agency Reuters characterized the poll wins as a ‘big boost’ for PM Modi leading up to the general elections next year, titling their story, “In boost for Modi, BJP sweeps polls in three Indian states.” The report emphasized that the election results provided insight into the voter mood ahead of the national elections in May, where Modi aims for a third consecutive term.
Describing the electoral outcome as a ‘saffron tsunami’ in the Hindi heartland, the BJP’s stunning victories in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan surprised not only their rivals but also pollsters who had predicted closely contested races in these states. The election results, particularly the losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, dealt a significant blow to the Congress’s aspirations for 2024, leaving it out of power across a substantial portion of the Hindi heartland.
In Rajasthan, the BJP emerged victorious with 115 seats, contrasting with some pollsters’ predictions, while the Congress trailed with 69 seats. In Chhattisgarh, out of the 90 assembly constituencies, the BJP secured 54 seats, with the Congress winning 35. The counting for Mizoram is scheduled for Monday, where the BJP’s regional ally, the Mizo National Front, is the incumbent. The assembly elections in these five states, with over 160 million registered voters, constituted a significant political event in India.
