Phase 5 of India election held in Gandhi bastions, Ladakh, Ram Temple town
Al JazeeraMay 19
Regional Voting Begins in Two Indian States
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Image copyright: Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Regional elections have commenced in two Indian states, as voters in the central state of Chhattisgarh and the northeastern state of Mizoram went to the polls Tuesday to decide between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party.
A total of five elections will take place in November, and the contests will be a litmus test for Modi’s popularity ahead of India’s general election next May. More than 160M people — roughly one-sixth of India’s electorate — are eligible to vote in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram.
The Spin
Narrative A
As voting takes place in multiple states this month, including Chhattisgarh, it is important to remember how much violence and left-wing extremism has been inflicted against the Modi government. Prime Minister Modi and the BJP are focused on making all of India safer so that people can live and thrive in peace. Modi’s government has done wonders for Chhattisgarh in particular, and the BJP will ride the prime minister's success to a resounding electoral victory.
Narrative B
As Modi’s right-wing policies leave many poor people behind, Congress' focus on economic subsidies will play a major role in its political revival. While the BJP has maintained electoral dominance for some time, its power is fraying at the state level, and the opposition alliance will have an opportunity to pry back control. While Modi may win reelection next year, the BJP is at risk of losing support in the long run, and November's election could be the beginning of a major political shift.
