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

Polling for Assembly elections is underway in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people of both states to vote in large numbers in order to enhance the democratic festival.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader and CM Hemant Soren said his coalition had passed the ‘exam of democracy’ in the state.

Undeniably, Modi's position has stabilised and he has staged a comeback of sorts from the weeks after the Lok Sabha results.' 'Coalition partners are likely to be more tolerant of Modi... The forthcoming elections in Delhi and Bihar will determine whether this continues or not.