India’s ruling Congress Party has been given a grim glimpse into the future as national elections approach next year. In state elections, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept to victory in last week’s elections in the three large states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as well as winning the largest number of seats in the capital region Delhi.
The results are grim news for Congress Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, the newest political offshoot of the Gandhi dynasty, who has been trying to establish himself as a grassroots organizer ahead of leading the party into next year’s election. On the other hand, the results are music to the ears of the controversial Gujarat state chief minister Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.
