The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies are set to retain power in India’s richest state, in a major boost to prime minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist party.
The Mahayuti alliance, led by Mr Modi’s BJP, is on course to win 221 of the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, home to India’s financial and entertainment capital Mumbai. The BJP alone is set to take more than 100 seats.
Senior state BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said the new chief minister will be chosen after a consultation with all allied parties. “The Mahayuti government has achieved undisputed and resounding success,” said incumbent chief minister Eknath Shinde, of the Shiv Sena party.
The result is a shot in the arm for Mr Modi’s party after what a disappointing general election performance earlier in the year. The BJP lost its parliamentary majority in May and had to depend on mercurial regional allies to rule.
The party regained some momentum last month when it won the election in the northern state of Haryana, defying expectations.
The result in Maharashtra is seen as more significant given the western state carries far greater economic, electoral and political heft. The BJP, in fact, is on its way to register its best electoral performance ever in the state.
The main opposition Congress party and its partners, meanwhile, are set to keep power in the eastern Jharkhand state, with 47 of the 81 seats, according to latest figures from the election commission.
The alliance, by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party, is expected to defeat the BJP and its allies, who were criticised during the campaign for trying to polarise voters along Hindu-Muslim religious lines.
These victories can help the political parties have more of their representatives in the upper house of parliament, which is key for passing countrywide legislation.
The campaign for the elections saw the BJP seek to attract voters by promising INR1,500 ($18) a month to more 20 million women in the 21-65 age group whose families earn less than 250,000 ($3,010) annually.
The Congress party promised to provide double that amount along with free rides on public buses.
The final results are expected later on Saturday.
