Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party is headed for a victory in state elections in politically significant Maharashtra while the opposition won mineral-rich Jharkhand state

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party and its allies were set to return to power in the nation's richest state, television channels reported on Saturday, a boost for the Hindu-nationalist leader after a disappointing general election.

Bharatiya Janata Party supporters showered confetti and flower petals as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the party headquarters in New Delhi. The celebration marked the BJP’s victory in the politically crucial state of Maharashtra,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the people of Maharashtra today for what he called their "historic verdict", saying the mandate was a firm rejection of the negative politics of the Opposition. This not only included what party chief JP Nadda described as the sabotage of the second mandate,

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is on course to retain power in Maharashtra. The alliance has so far won 164 seats and is leading in 67 others in the 288 assembly seats.

The party and its allies are however looking at a defeat in the mining state of Jharkhand.

The Mahayuti alliance led by Mr Modi’s BJP is on course to win 221 of the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, home to India’s financial and entertainment capital Mumbai. The BJP alone is set to take more than 100 seats.

The vote counting for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections began at 8 AM on Saturday, November 23. Maharashtra held a single-phase election across all 288 seats, while Jharkhand, with 81 seats,

In the Maharashtra 2024 assembly elections, the Mahayuti alliance comprising BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar's NCP emerged victorious. In opposition stood Maha Vikas Aghadi, which included Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena.

Jalebi took a political turn last month during the Haryana assembly elections when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a comment about the delicious Gohana jalebis during a campaign speech and suggested the shop should open factories worldwide.