Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headed for a surprise election victory in Haryana state on Tuesday (8), reinforcing its popularity in the northern heartland a few months after stumbling in national elections.
But the main opposition Congress party, which had been projected by exit polls to win Haryana, said it would not accept the result as it was "totally unexpected, completely surprising and counter-intuitive".
The Congress reaction was unusual in the world's most populous democracy where the credibility of elections has rarely been questioned in recent decades.
An opposition alliance also won the first elections in a decade in troubled Jammu and Kashmir, but the Hindu nationalist BJP managed to hold onto its Hindu base in a Muslim-majority territory where it has limited influence.
Held in phases that ended on Saturday, the provincial elections posed Modi's first test of popularity since his return in June as prime minister for a record third straight term, although he needed the help of regional parties after failing to win a majority in a shock outcome.
A fall in support in rural parliamentary constituencies, unemployment, and a fear that the BJP could scrap affirmative action quotas for the so-called lower castes was blamed for the party's poor showing in the general election.
Supporters of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference party shout slogans as they celebrate outside the vote counting centre on the day of the assembly election results, in Srinagar, October 08, 2024. REUTERS/Sharafat Ali
Provincial elections are mostly decided by local issues and the BJP was projected to lose Haryana due to anti-incumbency sentiment after ruling it for a decade, indicating more trouble for Modi's party before bigger state elections in coming months.
"I salute the people of Haryana for giving a clear majority," Modi posted on X in his first reaction. "This is the victory of the politics of development and good governance. I assure people that we will leave no stone unturned to fulfil their aspirations."
Congress said it would complain to the independent Election Commission of India (ECI) in a day or two.
"The result in Haryana ... goes against ground reality," Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh told reporters. "It is a victory for manipulation, victory for subverting the will of the people and a defeat for transparent democratic processes."
Ramesh said Congress had received very serious complaints about the vote count and the functioning of electronic voting machines from at least three districts and these would be compiled and taken to ECI.
Under Indian election laws, candidates can complain to ECI about counting issues and seek redress. They can appeal to the courts if they are not satisfied with ECI's response.
The ECI spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Results on the ECI website showed the BJP winning or leading in 48 seats in Haryana against 37 for Congress.
In Jammu and Kashmir, whose special autonomy Modi scrapped in 2019, the alliance of Congress and the regional National Conference (NC) party won 48 seats.
Both legislatures have 90 members each.
If it sticks, the Haryana outcome is a shot in the arm for BJP prior to regional polls in the more politically significant states of Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Maharashtra, a western industrial hub where the financial capital Mumbai is situated, is ruled by a BJP coalition, with an opposition alliance in power in mineral-rich Jharkhand.
Elections in both states have yet to be announced, but are expected to be held in November.
"This changes everything for BJP," said Yashwant Deshmukh, founder of polling agency CVoter. "If they had lost Haryana their morale would have been down. Now they will be on the front-foot, more aggressive in Maharashtra."
Showed up in a killer red outfit and everyone was sneaking glances all night.
Snapped a pic with Anoushka Shankar, the sitar legend herself.
Got completely caught up in a close-up card magic trick.
Jetted in from other celebrations in New York and Delhi during a packed few weeks.
Priyanka Chopra was back in London for yet another Diwali shindig, this one thrown by Johnnie Walker and Rahul Mishra. Of course, there are already a ton of phone videos floating around. No surprises there. Anoushka Shankar was in the guest list too, and the photo they took together was iconic. Then there’s Rahul Mishra, obviously, and manager Anjula Acharia nearby. The whole place was done up with diyas and marigolds and looked festive and warm, not too staged. Felt like an actual party, not just another red carpet.
Priyanka Chopra shines in red at the London Diwali celebration Instagram/jerryxmimi
Card trick sequence
During the evening, Chopra spotted a magician performing card tricks at close range. Videos circulating online, shows her watching the demonstration with apparent concentration. At one point, she examines a playing card following a particular illusion. The interaction lasted several moments before she resumes conversations with other attendees nearby.
Recorded exchanges include Chopra discussing creative work with female guests. She mentioned familiarity with their Instagram content, specifically acknowledging their projects. The conversation also touched on professional aspects before moving to other topics.
The London stop forms part of recent travel that included a New York Diwali event and Delhi visit for a friend's birthday. Currently she is preparing for Citadel's second season, along with The Bluff and preliminary work on SS Rajamouli's GlobeTrotter alongside Mahesh Babu. Her most recent screen appearance was in Heads of State with Idris Elba and John Cena.
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