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INDIA-POLITICS-VOTING
Modi’s party makes surprise comeback in India’s richest state
MUMBAI, Nov 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
party made an unexpected comeback to power Saturday in wealthy Maharashtra
state, home to the country’s financial capital, after prolonged backroom
negotiations saw presidential rule lifted after days of uncertainty.
President Ram Nath Kovind imposed direct rule on India’s richest state
last week after fiercely fought elections last month led to weeks of haggling
between parties over forming a government.
The state was previously ruled by Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya
Janata Party and its right-wing regional ally Shiv Sena.
But they failed to agree another power-sharing deal despite results
showing the coalition had won a comfortable majority for a second consecutive
term.
Shiv Sena quit the partnership, hoping to convince their ideological
rivals, the centre-left Indian National Congress, and the Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP)to form a government instead.
In the end though the BJP pulled off a major upset by joining hands with a
top NCP leader to form a coalition, announcing the deal on Saturday.
“This bolsters the BJP and Modi’s image in the state and the country,”
political commentator Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay told AFP.
“While there were some questions being raised about their loss of
dominance following election results, this verdict will cement Modi and BJP’s
control in the state”, he added.
The coalition still needs to prove its majority in the state legislature
in a week’s time in order to stay in power.
India has been battling an economic slowdown, and the imposition of
presidential rule was a setback for Modi and for Mumbai, which is home to
business tycoons, the stockmarket and the glitzy Bollywood film industry.
Under India’s constitution, New Delhi can take direct control of a state
in the absence of a local government and after obtaining consent from the
president.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1250 hrs