Efter 33 års ubrudt styre har kommunisterne mistet magten i en af Indiens største delstater. Samtidig styrkes det regerende Kongresparti i flere delstatsvalg, der involverer over 140 millioner vælgere
The world’s longest-serving democratically-elected communist government has lost elections in the Indian state of West Bengal, neighbouring Bangladesh, and with 90 million people, BBC online reports Friday.
The communists – in power since 1977 but now blamed for the state’s economic decline – have conceded defeat. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) is on course to win a landslide.
In Tamil Nadu, a key ally of the governing Congress party has also been defeated following allegations of corruption which have rocked India.
The communists are facing a stiff challenge in the southern state of Kerala. In Assam in the north-east the Congress party looks set to be returned with a large majority.
The results again prove that the focus has shifted to regional parties in Indian politics. The elections also provide a distraction from corruption scandals which have dogged the central government in New Delhi for months.
Although Congress will be pleased its ally has done so well in West Bengal, results from the south may give the party pause for thought ahead of general elections due by 2014.
In Tamil Nadu support for its ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has slumped. In Kerala, Congress, which won 16 of 20 seats in the last general election, has also seen its vote share significantly eroded.
More than 140 million people were eligible to vote in the assembly elections held over April and May on the subcontinent.
