Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party headed for a victory Saturday in state elections in politically significant Maharashtra while the opposition won mineral-rich Jharkhand state. Polling in the two states are seen as a test of Modi's popularity after his party returned to power in June national elections but was

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling alliance won an election in Maharashtra by a wide margin, signaling policy continuity in a state which houses most of India’s billionaires and is home to some of the country’s biggest investments.

Empowered by the landslide victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on the opposition and said those rejected by people are trying to disrupt and take control of proceedings in the Parliament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in one of the two recent state elections with a small margin, according to exit polls, while the opposition alliance is trailing closely behind.