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NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aggressive campaign in Maharashtra and Haryana, most notably his sustained anti-Pakistan rhetoric, yielded rich political dividends on Sunday after his Bharatiya Janata Party was set to form the next government in both states.
In Maharashtra, the BJP won 123 of 288 seats from Wednesday’s assembly elections, needing another 22 to easily form the government. In Haryana, the party won an absolute majority on its own for the first time.
“Today’s results show that the Modi wave is still the tsunami that can crush the opposition,” said BJP president Amit Shah.
The results brought more embarrassment for the Congress whose ally and former minister Sharad Pawar offered external support to the BJP in Maharashtra. The BJP was expected to stay with the Shiv Sena though, without completely shutting the doors on Mr Pawar’s party.
Some BJP leaders want it to review options against a possible reconciliation with former ally Shiv Sena.
Top BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, will travel to Mumbai tomorrow to hold consultations on how to form the government.
Sources in the Sena say that the party is willing to accept the post of Deputy Chief Minister for Maharashtra, and is open to talks about other key portfolios.
The alliance ended after 25 years in September because the BJP was unwilling to remain the Sena’s junior partner in Maharashtra.
The results will also boost the government’s confidence in clearing more economic reforms. On Friday, it lifted controls on diesel prices, a political hot potato.
State elections determine seat shares in the Rajya Sabha or upper house of parliament, where the BJP and its allies lack a majority. Gains in state elections will make the government less dependent on support from the opposition to get legislation cleared.
Haryana and Maharashtra have been bastions of the Congress and the party’s decimation in both states continues the massive decline it marked in May when it accrued its worst-ever result in the national election.
Mr Modi described as “historic results” the electoral victory in Haryana and Maharashtra and said it was a matter of immense happiness and pride for BJP.
BJP president Amit Shah, a fellow Gujraati and close confidant of the prime minister, said that the victory in Haryana and Maharashtra were two steps more in making ‘India Congress-free’.
Mr Shah added: “From the victory it is clear that Narendra Modi has become the undisputed leader of India.”
He reiterated that the election result is a stamp of approval of Mr Modi government’s work and policies at the Centre.
Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2014
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Comments (42) Closed
Oct 20, 2014 07:12am
Congress lost not because anti Pakistan nor anti China stand of BJP. They were corrupt to the core! If anybody thinks anti Pakistan sentiment plays a role in India's state politics,they are living in a fools paradise . In regional politics,only state affairs matter.That is why many states are ruled by regional parties.For a voter in vidarbha,it does not matter whether Pakistan exist or not.He will vote for his region's development.Comparatively BJP state govts are corruption free (can't say 100%) and conducts good governance .
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Oct 20, 2014 07:23am
It was not anti-pakistan stance in the campaign. Rather he was mostly silent on the cease fire issue. Only in the last phase he needed to say few comments, any political party of any country would have done the same or else opposition would have cashed heavily on this this. Also people do understand, in India Pakistan issue do not win you election or fetch u any brownie point. Agenda is only one and thats development.
I am sure time is ticking and soon Pakistan will have same environment where development and only development will be key for winning election. Remember, some one has said - democracy is what people deserve.
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Oct 20, 2014 07:28am
Modi...Anti Pakistaani, Shah his Fellow Gujraati, Hindu BJP....If this how the responcible pakistani journalism reads and reports the on going changes in India,it is not not only a sad commentry,but does not abode good for the subcontinent.
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Oct 20, 2014 07:29am
"most notably his sustained anti-Pakistan rhetoric"
Dawn, this is not true. He focused his speeches on development and economy. It's Pak politicians who talk about India all the time... India has already moved on. Our rival is China not Pak.
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Oct 20, 2014 07:37am
Please note one thing very clearly. No political party can win in India with a anti-Pakistan or some pro religious stance. The common man in India has enough day to day problems to care about instead of Pakistan. The single biggest reason why BJP one was
a: Vote for growth
b: Have same state and central now makes passing of reforms very easy
c: And vote for one true leader at the helm as opposed to mixed jams in the past.
Now the Gujrat 2002 brigade can counter my comments.
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Oct 20, 2014 07:42am
"his sustained anti-Pakistan rhetoric"... Really? These were state elections not national, and Pakistan was not a poll issue. Stop projecting your perceptions and stock to facts.
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Oct 20, 2014 07:42am
This shows that even after 6 months, the Indians still have faith in Modi. And that is because he is doing the right things. Also, it good to know that the regional parties which exploit regional conditions at the expense of national are on their way out.
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Oct 20, 2014 07:46am
Congress performance in Haryana and Maharashtra was the main reason for their defeat in these states not anti Pakistan rhetoric of Modi(as Author alleges), as Congress was also blaming Modi to be soft towards Pakistan.BJP has broken 25 years alliance with Shiv Sena but Author in this article is trying to highlight Shiv Sena future or present role,which at this time is uncertain but one thing is certain Modi is riding high and he will ,in no case, give any importance to any alliance partner to form government in Maharashtra.
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Oct 20, 2014 07:49am
Those elections have nothing to do with pakistan. Tge local elections are fought on local issues. Why are you misrepresenting the things.
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Oct 20, 2014 08:01am
Pakistanis give themselves too much importance...Contrary to what was stated in the opening paragraph, Pakistan was not relevant to Modi's success. But i understand why jurnos come up with this non sense....it is a reflection of its readers.
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Oct 20, 2014 08:17am
Only one correction, Modi was criticised for election rallies when Indian Jawans were getting killed, there were no anti pak statements made by Modi during campaigns. Pak was no issue.
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Oct 20, 2014 08:18am
Few more states to go. BJP will soon takeover UP, Bihar and West Bengal and Kerala.
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Oct 20, 2014 08:23am
Absolutely wrong statement that sustained anti-Pakistan rhetoric had no major impact or consideration on the voters. Modi only had to respond to pakistan-India ceasefire/border firing because all the opposition leaders targeted him asking why he was not strong enough against pakistan border firing. But Pakistan is not at all an electoral issue in India, the voters were only concerned about the promise of development and more job opportunities.
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Oct 20, 2014 08:27am
And that win not due to antipakistan image as satates actualy dawn not know more about democracy local govt election fought on local issues and in whole election campaign not even single party make the name of pakistan i m muslim and i support narendra modi due to its governance and economic policies
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Oct 20, 2014 08:29am
Way to go BJP. Take over all the states.
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Oct 20, 2014 08:47am
Let us aim to clock a 9% GDP growth rate with Raghuram Rajan and Modi. Let us aim to build infrastructure, world class manufacturing, and research heavy university system in India.
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Oct 20, 2014 08:58am
BJP won because of corruption and misgovernment of previous govt with promise of fast development. Why does Pakistan always try to enter in between when the reality is politics in India doesn't at all run on anti Pakistan rhetoric but on caste politics, reservation politics, development and corruption. period.
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Oct 20, 2014 09:11am
Our nation-building is entering a progressive phase, after a long time. Finally, all of India is coming under one political thought. Those who were skeptics before about Modi's India, are turning in to fans very quickly. From educated middle class to rural India, from bureaucrats to local politics, from foreign investors to retail shop owners, everyone is looking up to BJP govt.
I hope this movement goes from strength to strength and rise above personalities. Let this be a first step. Next time we elect, someone better than Modi....and next to that even better, and so on and so forth. Jai ho.
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Oct 20, 2014 09:18am
".....most notably his sustained anti-Pakistan rhetoric, yielded rich political dividends on Sunday...."
Ohh God!! How important do you think Pakistan is for the people of Haryana and Maharashtra??? People voted for development nt against Pakistan!! Come out of your cocoon of self importance!!
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Oct 20, 2014 09:18am
"most notably his sustained anti-Pakistan rhetoric, yielded rich political dividends".
Mr. Javed Naqvi, You're doing a great disservice to the people of both India and Pakistan through your writings. The above line might tempt some Pakistanis to think that LoC violence helped BJP. However, all pre-poll surveys since a month ago, predicted these results. Congress governments in Haryana and Maharastra became the address of Corruption. It's a shame that none of the Indian media investigated the corruption as religiously as they did in case of Gujarat riots.
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Oct 20, 2014 09:25am
Anti pakistan rhetoric? What would India do without high flying pakistan?we will not survive
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Oct 20, 2014 10:15am
We want a Congress free India. Narendra Modi is the best leader in the world today. Hope he is doing well to fulfill our dreams.
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Oct 20, 2014 10:26am
..."most notably his sustained anti-Pakistan rhetoric, yielded rich political dividends on Sunday ..." Sorry I beg to differ, its a local state election with local problems. As firing was happening that time across border, Modi made few statements. Modi has full grip in lower house but it needs to win few more states for uppar house, so as to expedite the reforms and clearing various bills ...
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Oct 20, 2014 10:32am
Long live modi!!!
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Oct 20, 2014 10:39am
A normal and good news article except one sentence "most notably his sustained anti-Pakistan rhetoric, yielded rich political dividends on Sunday". In State elections local issues matter not national. For national issues there is national election which concluded in May this year.
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Oct 20, 2014 10:42am
Those were state level elections and people were fed-up with the corruption and bullying from respective state governments. So, please don't relate them in any distant way with Pakistan.
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Oct 20, 2014 10:53am
Out of 29 States in India now congress is ruling only in 9 states and that too most of them are smaller states in north east...
So Congress Mukth Bharat is coming true... :)
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Oct 20, 2014 10:56am
i was following his speeches. he hardly ever mentioned Pakistan. believe us Pakistan hardly matters to india
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Oct 20, 2014 11:05am
"most notably his sustained anti-Pakistan rhetoric"
Other than the ceasefire violations, what exactly did Modi say ?
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Oct 20, 2014 11:27am
Wrong! The Prime Minister was forced by the opposition during elections to speak on the Pakistan incursion.Then said when enemies are attacking,you Mr Prime Minister is silent on it and canvassing 2 elections.In reply PM said that it's the army that deals with such operations not the PM.BJP won from the two states because of massive corruption by the previous regime not because of Pakistan.
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Oct 20, 2014 11:34am
Modi is winning because he is innovating and making processes simpler, " Na khaonga , na khane doonga "
He is ray of hope for further development and against corruption, he got to the work as soon as he took over in no time. And most of it all he speaks to people of India directly , unlike congress leaders who were Snobs and were indulged in corruption . Modi keeps in touch with people and takes their suggestions, all traits of great leader. Mr. naqvi, please come out of Middle Ages, I have not seen any one voting Modi on Pakistan ( non issue ). Keep aside your religious spectacle, and then see, you can see clearly.
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Oct 20, 2014 11:58am
In Maharastra Congress was in power for the last 15 years, in Haryana Congress was in power for the last 10 years. There was strong anti incumbency in these states. Major issues are corruption, accountability from government and development. Modi said same party in central and state spurs the development. His swatch bharath program before election was big hit. People believed his track record, and they felt BJP is better alternative after decade long Congress rule.
Pakistan hardly matters, please don't deceive people of Pakistan, they might think that is true.
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Oct 20, 2014 12:25pm
@Srikanth Well, there is no doubt that Modi has been heavy on anti-Pakistan rhetoric. If that does not win votes and the Indian people are least bothered about Pakistan, I cannot understand why a seasoned politician like Modi keeps harping on it. If the anti-incumbency factor can hit Congress, it should hit the BJP as well who have been around for almost half a year and there is no milk and honey flowing around.
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Oct 20, 2014 01:25pm
@Jor El He said nothing. These election speeches have nothing to do with Pakistan. He only talked about good and inclusive governance.
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Oct 20, 2014 01:34pm
I don't know why Pakistani media attribute this victory to anti-Pakistan rhetoric. Pakistan is never a concern for any Indian voter, please do not be little the wisdom of Indian voters with such observations. Mr Modi only replied to some opponents who kept on blaming Mr Modi for being soft towards Pakistan though there is ceasefire violation, rest he never made the borders an issue at all in the elections.
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Oct 20, 2014 02:10pm
Anti Pakistan Rhetoric ?? Listen to his speeches , not even 0.05% mention of pakistan
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Oct 20, 2014 04:05pm
@Haroon Rooha Do you mean to say you or your fellows are Pro-India
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Oct 20, 2014 06:19pm
@ashish : Dear Dawn readers, seeing the comments from all Indian readers , you must realize that elections are fought in name of corruption, development ,etc and not certainly on Anti-pak stand. Modi has overwhelming support in India now and you can see it this platform itself as a sample.
He's best we got right now. For example, recently he appointed one of finest economist, Arvind Subramanium as economic advisor who is a critical of Gujarat Model, for stalling WTO trade treaty and also the recent NDA budget. Still he went ahead with appointment as he respects knowledge. Google for details
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Oct 20, 2014 06:50pm
Nope! Anti-Pakistan or China comments never influence Indian politics - Modi factor still exist in India. Because he is proven and not corrupt people choose him. On the contrary, Anti-Indian statements may win people minds in Pakistan. My advice to Pakistani friends please think and act wisely and don't get influenced with these self-centered politicians.
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Oct 20, 2014 09:15pm
@Mithidada Petrol and Diesel price is reduced to 3-4 INR since Modi came. Inflation rate is lowest since Feb 2014. There is investment of $100 billion dollars. He is engaging all common people. What else a common man wants from him.
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Oct 21, 2014 11:29am
This article is an insult to the people of Maharashtra and reflects poorly on Pakistani journalism. NO ONE can win election in Maharashtra based on Anti-Pakistani stance. Pakistan is a non-issue for Maharashtrians, so is Amit Shah. We are the most developed state in India, highly educated, professional, industrially efficient and electorally mature. The issues which matter to us are governance, corruption and progress. Who is this ignorant reporter who does not even understand the basics, even a school journal in Maharashtra could have summarized the election better. Modi needs to thank Azit Panwar for making it easier for BJP to win as Azit's party is charged with inefficiency.
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Oct 21, 2014 08:56pm
I don't agree with this article fully. India is a massive state, and Anti Pakistan stance can not be the reason Modi won. It is high time we acknowledge that India's democracy is much mature than ours, and they opted for a corrupt free (or less corrupt) govt. which we are also trying to do by supporting IK.
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