Millions vote as India begins series of state elections


Fishermen travel in a boat in the tributary waters of the Periyar River at Munambam on the outskirts of Kochi in the southern state of Kerala, India, January 21, 2019. REUTERS/Sivaram V

NEW DELHI, April 9 (Reuters) - Millions of ⁠Indians queued to vote in local elections in two states on Thursday, kicking ⁠off four key contests this month amid a war in the Middle East that ‌has triggered some fuel shortages, even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept domestic prices in check.

State elections do not directly affect the stability of India’s federal government but are closely watched as a test of voter sentiment ​toward the ruling coalition. Opinion polls predict an easy win ⁠for an alliance led by Modi’s Bharatiya ⁠Janata Party (BJP) in one state and tight contests in two others. The fourth is likely ⁠to ‌stay with the opposition.

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