Modi’s ruling party ahead in crucial state polls in India

By KRUTIKA PATHI and SHEIKH SAALIQ
Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party has a commanding lead in crucial state polls, despite his government’s criticized handling of COVID-19, soaring unemployment and farmer protests. The early trends in poll data shared by the Election Commission on Thursday showed Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party comfortably crossing the majority mark in Uttar Pradesh state. Modi’s BJP was also set to keep control in Uttarakhand state. Meanwhile, data showed India’s main opposition party, Congress, was routed in Punjab. Results in five Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa will dent the hopes of India’s opposition parties which are banking to form a united front to challenge Modi in the next general elections in 2024.