States where BJP has never been in power but is making inroadspublished at 05:42 BST
Zoya Mateen
Reporting from Delhi
As results come in from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Puducherry, the vote is being closely watched as a key test of whether Modi’s BJP can break through in regions where it has never formed a government.
In all four regions, politics has historically been dominated by strong regional or local parties, with power shaped more by state-level rivalries than national contests.
Tamil Nadu has long seen the regional DMK and AIADMK alternate in office, Bengal has been dominated in recent years by the Trinamool after a long period of Communist rule, Kerala has swung between Left and Congress-led alliances, and Puducherry has experienced coalition politics and frequent changes in government.
Image source, NurPhoto via Getty ImagesImage caption,
The polls test whether Modi’s party can break into regions where it has never held power
The BJP has, however, been steadily expanding its presence. Its vote share has risen in parts of the south and east in recent parliamentary elections – most notably in West Bengal and to a lesser extent in Kerala. In Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, it remains a smaller but growing force, often relying on alliances with regional parties.
The party has focused on building its organisation, expanding its vote base and turning fragmented multi-party contests into more direct rivalries with regional incumbents.
Today, it will find out whether that approach is leading to real breakthroughs.
