Modi\\\'s party tightens grip on power with thumping poll wins

October 20, 2014 00:00:00

INDIA : Indian musicians and supporters dance in front of a portrait of Indian Prime Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi during celebrations outside the BJP party office following state elections in Mumbai Sunday. —AFP

MUMBAI, Oct 19 (AFP): India's right-wing ruling party secured strong victories Sunday in two important state elections, tightening its grip on power after storming to power nationally five months ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was assured of victory in Maharashtra, of which financial hub Mumbai is the capital, over its centre-left rival the Congress party which ruled the western state with its allies for 15 years.

Celebrations erupted at BJP headquarters in Mumbai, with supporters lighting firecrackers, feeding each other sweets, throwing flower petals and shouting "Long live Mother India!"-although the party is likely to fall short of an absolute majority.

The BJP won outright for the first time in Haryana, which borders the national capital, handing the once-powerful Congress a humiliating defeat after its 10-year rule of the state, official results showed.

"We are two steps closer to our mission of a Congress-free India," BJP president Amit Shah told reporters in New Delhi with a grin as vote-counting continued.

"Today's results show that the Modi wave is still the tsunami that can destroy," Shah said after supporters placed a garland around his neck.

Modi, a popular leader and fiery orator, campaigned doggedly for the elections held last week. The victories are likely to encourage him to push ahead with promised economic reforms, some of which could prove unpopular.

The nationalist leader won a landslide victory win at the national polls in May on a pledge to revive the ailing economy and clean up endemic corruption, but many reforms have yet to be introduced.

On the eve of the results, Modi's government lifted controls on diesel prices in an attempt to give market forces greater influence over the economy, attract investment and cut subsidies.

Success for the BJP would also strengthen its power in the national parliament's upper house, crucial for the passing of contentious laws. The BJP currently lacks a majority in that chamber, whose composition is based on seats won in regional assemblies.