NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party appeared headed Saturday to ending the 25-year uninterrupted rule of a communist party in a northeastern state and consolidating its position in two other states in provincial elections.
An impressive win is expected to boost the prospects of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party when it seeks a second term in national elections next year. The BJP has been riding a wave of rising Hindu nationalism in the country.
With over 90 percent of votes counted, the Indian Election Commission’s tabulation suggested that the BJP was likely to form a government on its own in Tripura state, replacing the Communist Party of India (Marxist). It also looked like it could win a majority with support from other groups in Meghalaya and Nagaland states. (AP)