From our correspondent
NEW DELHI – Based on initial projections, the results of the vote in Bihar – India’s poorest state, but one of the most politically influential in the country – appear to indicate a landslide victory for the New Democratic Alliance (NDA), a coalition in government both locally and in New Delhi that includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The first data gives the NDA a clear lead with 185 seats (63 more than 5 years ago) ahead of the challengers Mahagathbandhan, a coalition that includes the Gandhi family’s Congress Party, with only 54 deputy seats (60 less than in the previous election). To get a majority in the Bihar Legislative Council, 122 seats are enough. If this data is correct, it will further strengthen Modi’s power at the central level, although analysis of the distribution of votes in the coalition supporting him highlights a shift in voters’ votes to regional parties.
