Modi’s surprise poll win could give rivals pauseFour months after a national election setback, Indian prime minister’s Bharatiya Janata Party sees recovery in Haryana state pollBy Andy Mukherjee / Bloomberg OpinionBarely four months after returning to power with a reduced parliamentary majority, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government looks tired and shaky. Although more important regional polls lie ahead, the Haryana results would give pause to Modi’s rivals inside the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as well as his political opponents outside. They are also penciling in a less-than-even chance for the BJP to win Jharkhand, a mineral-rich state in the east. “Becoming prime minister is not my ambition,” Gadkari is reported to have said. If anything, the prime minister might feel less pressure to give a better deal to farmers, soldiers, women or young people.

Source: Taipei Times October 10, 2024 17:39 UTC