The development-centered campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, complimented by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other leaders, has paid off rich dividends, as BJP comfortably retained its power in India’s most populous state.
BJP secured 255 seats in the 403-strong Legislative Assembly, far ahead of its closest rival, BJP secured 255 seats in the 403-strong Legislative Assembly, far ahead of its closest rival, Samajwadi Party, which managed to win 111 constituencies. The saffron party won 312 seats in 2017, and while the current majority appears to have fallen short of the earlier victory, BJP has accomplished a rare feat of beating anti-incumbency for the first time in over 30 years.
Despite securing 12.81 percent of the total vote share, the Bahujan Samajwadi Party led by Mayawati managed to win just a single assembly seat in the Rasara constituency of Ballia district.
AAP pulls off a stunner in Punjab
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party registered a stunning victory in Punjab, winning 92 seats in the 117-strong Legislative Assembly.
AAP National Convener and Delhi Chief Minister tweeted a picture with the Chief Ministerial Candidate Bhagwant Mann, congratulating the people for the ‘revolution.’
Mr. Bhagwant Mann, a former actor, and comedian, will take oath on March 16 in Khatkar Kalan, iconic freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s ancestral village.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, State President for Congress Party in Punjab, tweeted his congratulations to Aam Aadmi Party. Mr. Sidhu lost the contest in Amritsar East to Jeevanjyot Kaur of the Aam Aadmi Party.
Goa – BJP Wins, but both Deputy Chief Ministers lose
BJP won 20 seats in Goa, ahead of its closest rival Congress alliance, which won 11. The state has 40 Assembly seats, and with the support from three independent MLAs, BJP’s Pramod Sawant will form the government.
Interestingly, Mr. Sawant has won a rather closely-contested poll by a margin of 500 seats in the Sanquelim constituency and two Deputy Chief Ministers, Manohar Ajgaonkar and Chandrakant Kavlekar, lost the election to Congress candidates.
Uttarakhand – BJP Wins, but CM Loses
BJP breezed through to victory in 47 constituencies in Uttarakhand, well ahead of Congress, which managed 19. A total of 36 seats are required for a majority in the 70-strong Legislative Assembly.
Congress candidate Bhuvan Kapri defeated BJP Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in the Khatima assembly constituency. The party is yet to announce the new CM candidate.
Manipur
BJP has won Manipur. Of the 60 constituencies contested, BJP won 32, and its ally National People’s Party (NPP) won 7. Congress secured 5 seats.