Assembly election results 2023: What foreign media said about PM Modi as BJP wins MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made significant political waves in the Hindi heartland, securing resounding victories in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan during the recent state assembly elections. Foreign media, particularly The New York Times, characterized these wins as a significant indicator of the prevailing voter sentiment leading up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims for a third consecutive term.
According to The New York Times, the BJP’s triumphs in these key states further solidified its dominance in a crucial region, setting the stage for the upcoming general elections. The report highlighted the diminishing fortunes of the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, and emphasized the BJP’s advantageous position for 2024. The imminent inauguration of a massive Hindu temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to Lord Ram, was cited as a strategic move by Modi to galvanize his support base.
Bloomberg noted that while state assembly polls may not serve as a direct proxy for the national elections, the comprehensive loss of the opposition in these states bolsters the ruling party and Prime Minister Modi’s standing. Despite efforts by the Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, to focus on issues like joblessness and caste discrimination, the results indicated a lack of resonance on a national scale.
Prime Minister Modi’s popularity and his image as a champion of development and Hindu interests were underscored in the reports. The strategic use of welfare schemes under Modi’s name and his overarching influence across the country were cited as key factors contributing to the BJP’s success. Shumita Deveshwar, Chief India Economist at GlobalData.TS Lombard, emphasized Modi’s enduring popularity, suggesting that the state polls reflect a national mood favoring his return for a third term.
Reuters echoed these sentiments, stating that despite a decade in power, Modi remains widely popular, with surveys indicating a likelihood of victory in the upcoming elections. However, the report acknowledged a renewed challenge from a 28-party opposition alliance led by the Congress, although this alliance did not feature in the state polls due to internal rivalries.
According to AFP, the victories in the three states further bolstered the BJP and Modi, positioning him as the front-runner for a third consecutive term. The results were seen as a setback for Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, which pursued an aggressive campaign directly targeting Modi.
Financial Times, while acknowledging limited evidence of a correlation between state and national results, reported that the outcome leaves the Congress party weakened at a crucial time. The party, which dominated Indian politics for decades, has faced challenges since Modi’s ascent to the premiership in 2014.
