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Agence France-Presse

India’s opposition parties inflicted a humiliating defeat on the governing Hindu nationalist party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in more than a dozen by-elections for seats in Parliament and state assemblies.
India’s Election Commission said Thursday that Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies won only two seats in four by-elections for parliament and 10 for state assemblies in key states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra. The voting occurred Monday.
The Republic television news channel said the party has lost its majority and now has 271 members in the 543-seat lower house of Parliament. However, it remains dominant due to the help of several allies.
The outcome could put pressure on Modi as national elections approach early next year. He is expected to seek a second, five-year term.
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G.V.L. Narasimha Rao, a BJP spokesman, said the party might not have done well in the by-elections, but Modi would post a big win in the national elections on the basis of his clean image and emphasis on development.
Jayant Chaudhary, a regional leader belonging to opposition Rashtriya Lok Dal, or National People’s Party, said the BJP’s attempt to polarise the majority Hindu support in its favour has been rejected by the people.
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The Congress and other parties joined forces and made it a direct fight with the BJP in the by-elections by putting up joint candidates to avoid splitting votes.
Minorities, especially Muslims and Christians, have been complaining of rising attacks by Hindu hardliners since Modi came to power in a huge election victory in 2014.
Hindus comprise more than 80 per cent of India’s 1.3 billion people, Muslims nearly 14 per cent and Christians 2 per cent.


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India

India Prime Minister Modi’s ruling BJP suffers humiliating defeat in by-elections

Congress party supporters shout slogans as they carry an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before burning it during a demonstration in Amritsar on May 26. Photo: AFP

epa06758155 Congress leader Sonia Gandhi (R) with AICC president Rahul Gandhi (L) gestures as they walks down to attend swearing-in ceremony in the southern state of Karnataka, Bangalore, India, 23 May 2018. HD Kumaraswamy is sworn in as new Chief Minister for the southern state of Karnataka. HD Kumaraswamy will lead a coalition government of the opposition Congress party and Janata Dal (S), a regional ally. He replaces BS Yeddyurappa of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who was in office for less than three days. EPA-EFE/JAGADEESH NV

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They won only two seats in four polls for parliament and 10 for state assemblies in key states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra


Narendra Modi