New Delhi: India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is projected to lose significant elections in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and the northern state of Haryana to the main opposition Congress party and its allies. These results hint at a continuing shift in voter sentiment, following previous electoral challenges faced by the party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the exit polls, which have been widely reported by Indian media, indicate a potential end to the BJP’s decade-long dominance in these regions. The polls suggest that Congress has gained a clear advantage, potentially altering the political landscape in these crucial states.
The elections in both regions concluded on Saturday, with vote counting and result announcements scheduled for the following Tuesday. While exit polls in India have historically been unreliable due to the country’s large and diverse electorate, they provide an early indication of the possible electoral outcomes.
This electoral test comes as India’s industrial hub of Maharashtra and the mineral-rich state of Jharkhand also prepare for upcoming provincial elections, with poll dates expected to be announced in November.