Vol. XLI No. 12 March 19, 2017
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On the Results of the Five Assembly Elections

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on March 11, 2017
THE BJP has won a sweeping victory in Uttar Pradesh getting over three-fourth of the seats in the assembly. This victory has been accomplished by a mix of rank communal appeal and by putting together a wide ranging caste coalition. It was this combination that propelled Narendra Modi and the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections in the state and that momentum has been maintained.

While acknowledging the massive mandate that the BJP has received, it also has implications that are dangerous for the country as it will encourage the brand of Hindutva politics which is divisive and harmful for the country.

The BJP has also registered success with a big win in Uttarakhand and dislodging the Congress from government there. It however, suffered a setback in Punjab where the Akali-BJP alliance has suffered a big defeat with the Congress winning a clear majority.

The BJP has failed to get a majority in the Goa assembly while the Congress appears to have lost its dominant position in Manipur.