Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party gave an exceptional performance, sweeping Uttar Pradesh off Akhilesh Yadav's feet as local political parties sulked in response. It was a gamble of the century, with all odds against the BJP, now a mere endorsement of mega-brand Modi.
The win follows a series of heart-breaking losses, including Delhi and Bihar in 2015, then a win in Assam. However, what really mattered was UP. Land of the Yadavs' 'goondaraj'. BJP remained quite low on the popularity meter lately, with Modi's November 8 demonetisation pinning a final nail in what seemed to be Modi's political career. UP elections was a bigger bet for the NDA; a peak into the prospects of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It demanded a stellar performance from our Prime Minister. Modi's touted skills as a communicator, and an orator was called upon and also criticised as many saw it as mere despotic. "One party wants to save its family, the other its party but only one party wants to save UP," Modi stated in Lucknow. "Our fight against corruption and black money won't stop."
Vehemently against the fantastic voting results, Bahujan Samaj Party's Mayawati claimed the voting machines to be rigged. Yes, Mayaji, as much as we all want it to be true, there is no denying the Modi charm. "There was some immediate distress due to notebandi. But people also saw how big contractors and local bigwigs were scampering to save their illegal money. The sullenness of those seen to deal in black money was proof that Modi had hit the right target," said a senior BJP MP from UP. The party along with its alliances won 325 seats out of 403 in the state assembly, the biggest majority for any party in Uttar Pradesh since 1980.
The saffron rejoiced at its headquarters in New Delhi. Modi said the results indicate emergence of a "new India". "A new India is on the horizon. I am seeing the election results in the five states as foundation for a New India- a New India of the dreams of 65 per cent population of under-35 youths and of uniquely aware women groups. A new India in which the poor are looking for an opportunity to do something instead of seeking something is a new change," he said. Five states in India went into polls this year, and from the look of it, Modi is set for a second term as Prime Minister.
Uttarakhand
The BJP took 57 out of the 70-seat constituency, leaving the ruling Congress weeping with a petty 11. The win came as a result of a year-long campaigning, with Modi addressing four major rallies in three days between February 10 and 12, this year, a few days ahead of the February 15 polls. The Bahujan Samaj Party and the Aam Aadmi Party fared poorly, failing to claim even a single seat. To make matters worse, several AAP state leaders defected either to the Congress or the BJP.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister aka Congress' one-man army, Harish Rawat failed to impress either of the two constituencies he fought, losing by over 12,000 votes in Haridwar (rural) and by 2,000 votes in Kiccha. Currently, BJP's senior leaders Satpal Maharaj and Trivendra Singh Rawat are both in the race for the new CM. Maharaj won from Chaubattakhal by a margin of 7,354 votes, and Rawat secured the Doiwala seat by 24,869 ballots.
Goa
Meanwhile in Goa, dirty politics peak, even after Union defence minister and former chief minister Manohar Parrikar is appointed as the new CM by the Governor. BJP, after winning 13 seats, stole the Congress' wind by submitting a list of 21 MLAs. However, the Supreme Court has issued an order for a floor test to be held on March 16. "We request the Governor to hold a floor test at 11am on 16 March and complete all prerequisites before 15 March," said a bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar. On being denied first shot at government formation in Goa, despite having won 17 seats in the 40-member Goa assembly, Congress leader Chandrakant Kavlekar moved the Apex Court, challenging the Governor's decision to appoint a BJP-led government in the coastal state.
A press note issued by the Governor's office said, "Shri Manohar Parrikar has submitted evidence before Honourable Governor, the support of 13 MLAs of BJP, 3 MLAs of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, 3 MLAs of Goa Forward Party, and 2 Independent MLAs, thus having a total strength of 21 MLAs in the 40-member assembly." However, the Congress cried foul, claiming itself to be the largest party in the petite state.
"The Governor cannot elect the government. It is the governor’s constitutional obligation to apply his mind and satisfy himself on who has a right to form the government," senior advocate and Congress party leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued. Parrikar, who served as the Union Defence Minister, resigned from his post when the Governor called him. He was CM from March 2012 to November 2014. Incumbent CM Laxmikant Parsekar's electoral defeat paved way for his return to state politics.
Punjab
One ray of hope for Congress amid dark, doubtful clouds. Captain Amarinder Singh, senior party leader of the Congress, is all set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Punjab, on March 16. The victory was a feat solely achieved by Singh, who has also been unanimously elected as the Congress Legislature Party leader by the newly-elected party MLAs.
The brand new MLAs list includes Navjot Singh Sidhu (Amritsar East), who had last year defected from the BJP, Pargat Singh (Jalandhar Cantt), and Raj Kumar Verka (Amritsar East). The Congress put a full stop on the decade-old rule of the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine, by winning 77 seats, one short of a two-third majority. Aam Aadmi Party managed to get 20 seats, while SAD-BJP won 18 seats in the state polls. Two seats went to AAP’s ally Lok Insaf Party (LIP).
The winning margin of Amarinder from Patiala seat was the highest in the 117-member Punjab Assembly. Congress MLA Raj Kumar Verka, who won from Amritsar West (SC), said the Congress government’s priority will be to end the state’s drug menace which "flourished under the 10-year long regime of SAD-BJP." "A road-map has been prepared to end the source of drugs," he said.
Manipur
Following two days of intense drama, a BJP delegation including Prakash Javadekar, Piyush Goyal, and chief ministerial candidate Nongthombam Biren Singh, met Governor Najma Heptulla at Raj Bhavan and staked claim to form the first ever BJP government in the state. The party, which won 21 seats, claimed the support of National People's Party (4 MLAs), Naga People's Front (4), LJP (1) and two others - lone independent Ashab Uddin and T Robindro Singh, who was elected on a Trinamool ticket.
Meanwhile, incumbent Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh submitted his resignation to the Governor in the evening. However, he claimed that as the single largest party, Congress should be invited to prove its majority in the House. Parallelly, Governor Heptulla clarified in a statement that she had not asked any party to prove majority. "I had told the chief minister that he needs to resign first for me to even begin the process of government formation. I have not asked any party to prove majority," she said.
While the Congress won 28 seats, its strength is down to 27, after Andro MLA Shyam Kumar defected to the BJP.
Presently, the Election Commision has issued a notification in all five states, allowing the formation of a new government. As per protocol, either the incumbent chief minister has to resign or the EC has to issue a notification by which a party can stake its claim
