Modi’s party retains hold in India’s key Uttar Pradesh state

Supporters of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dance as they celebrate election results at party headquarters in New Delhi, India, on March 10, 2022. - AP

NEW DElHI (Bloomberg): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is set to hold onto power in India’s most populous state, indicating that his support base remains strong despite high inflation, joblessness and a devastating second wave of Covid-19 infections.

According to the leads counted by the Election Commission of India Thursday (March 10), Modi’s incumbent BJP-led coalition was ahead in more than 269 seats in Uttar Pradesh state’s 403-member assembly. Its main rival, Samajwadi Party, and its allies were leading in over 129 seats.