India’s ruling party will be relaxed about polls

Significance

The final phase will be on June 1. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aims to secure a third successive five-year term. Its principal challenger is the recently formed INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) front, which includes the main opposition Congress party.

Impacts

• Many voters will continue to vote for the BJP not out of loyalty to the party but because they back Modi as prime minister.
• Congress will find it tough to regroup if it performs especially badly.
• There may be some contention over the conduct of the elections, but overall, they will likely be deemed free and fair.