NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — After losing Delhi and Bihar state assembly elections it was thought that the BJP has lost its hold on the masses, but winning the crucial Assam assembly election heralds a new era for Modi.
We will work harder till we win the confidence & trust of people
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) 19 May 2016
These state elections are crucial for the Modi administration as they allow political parties to nominate members for the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament. The federal governing party does not have a majority in Rajya Sabha — which has been stonewalling vital policies introduced by the government.
I am also extremely pleased with the performance of the BJP & our allies in various by-polls held across India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 19 May 2016
The election results are also of great importance for the Congress party as it has been decimated in two key states — Kerala and Assam — where they used to hold sway.
In fact, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won the Assam assembly election for the first time ever. With this win the BJP is now on the path of becoming a pan-India party. At present, the BJP has governments in 9 states and is sharing power in 4 other states with its allies.
I salute all those who built the BJP in Kerala, brick by brick, decade after decade. It is due to them that we are seeing this day.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 19 May 2016
The BJP has won 84 seats in the 126-member Assam assembly which ended the 15 year rule of the Congress Party, which is considered no small achievement for the party.
The issue of illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh was the most important factor which decided the Assam victory for the BJP. The BJP had promised to stop illegal immigration if they came to power, a message which struck home with the electorate, as the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh is a very emotive issue in all seven north-eastern Indian states. However, Muslims also voted for the BJP since the party is only against those who illegally migrated to the state, which consists of 10 percent of the Assam population.
I thank the people of Assam, WB, TN, Puducherry & Kerala for their support & assure them we will always work hard & serve them.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 19 May 2016
The other four Indian states which declared results are West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
In West Bengal, the incumbent Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) led by the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee maintained their grip for a second time.
Across India, people are placing their faith in BJP & see it as the party that can usher in all-round & inclusive development. @BJP4India
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 19 May 2016
In the south-Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK party won again. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK has won for a second straight term despite the fact that since 1989 no ruling party has returned to power in the state.
We accept the verdict of people with humility. My best wishes to the parties that have won the elections
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) 19 May 2016
As far the southernmost Indian state of Kerala is concerned, the Left Front defeated the ruling Congress Party. Here the BJP won a seat for the first time.
In Puducherry, Congress-DMK alliance won the assembly elections, getting 17 seats in the 30-member Assembly.
