The BJP lost the crucial Kairana constituency in Uttar Pradesh to a combined opposition of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress. The fourth Lok Sabha seat, Nagaland, went to the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, a BJP ally in the North-East. In Maharashtra, an alliance between the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) defeated the BJP in Bhandara-Gondiya while the ruling party was able to retain Palghar. It is possible that he was instrumental in the loss of BJP,” the BJP leader added. While the results kicked off celebrations among opposition parties, the key challenge for all parties will be to take these poll alliances ahead in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Source: Mint May 31, 2018 17:15 UTC