New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained its 27-year control of his home state of Gujarat with a commanding election victory, but lost power in northern Himachal Pradesh Thursday.
“Thank you, Gujarat. I am overcome with a lot of emotions seeing the phenomenal election results. People blessed the politics of development and at the same time expressed a desire that they want this momentum to continue at a greater pace. I bow to Gujarat’s Jan Shakti,″ Modi tweeted.
A win in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh states would have emboldened Modi with greater vigor ahead of national elections due in 2024.
The BJP has not lost state assembly elections in Gujarat since 1995. Modi was Gujarat’s top elected official for 13 years before becoming prime minister in 2014. Modi’s party remains popular in the state despite rising inflation, unemployment and polarization.
Meanwhile, the Congress party wrested power from the BJP in Himachal Pradesh state. Voting took place in Gujarat on Dec. 1 and 5 and in Himachal on Nov. 12.
