Ruling party bags landslide victory in key Indian state

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI, India (AA) - The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) in India registered a landslide victory in the crucial Uttar Pradesh state on Saturday, leading in 322 out of 403 assembly seats.

In a post made on his official Twitter account, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “I am overjoyed that BJP has received unprecedented support from all sections of society. Huge support from the youth is gladdening.”

The assembly elections in five states are being seen as a referendum on Modi’s policies, especially his demonetization policy that sparked an outcry in the country.

Last November, the premier abolished the 500 rupee and 1,000 rupee currency notes on the pretext of fighting corruption and “black money” in India.

The move triggered chaos and panic, and led to long lines outside banks as people waited to get their notes changed amid fears their money may disappear overnight.

Political analysts believe the party's victory shows demonetization actually went in favor of Modi and the BJP.

“People have supported his [Modi] policy of demonetization, which we can see in the landslide victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

“People feel that whatever he is doing is in favor of the country and that is why they have even accepted the hardship they had faced because of demonetization,” Giraja Shankar, political analyst, said.

The BJP will also form a government in Uttarakhand after the party led in 56 out 70 assembly seats.

In northern Punjab state, Congress will be in power after leading in 76 seats in the 117-member assembly.

However, Goa and Manipur states seem to be heading towards a hung assembly as Congress and the BJP fight neck-to-neck for majority.