India's BJP party has won three out of four states held by the opposition Congress party in regional elections held on Monday. The Hindu-nationalist party won Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh states.
However, Congress which is led by the Italian-born Sonia Gandhi, kept control of the capital, Delhi.
The BJP gained popularity in India through promoting Hindu nationalism although this was downplayed in the recent elections in favour of good governance and development issues.
What do these results tell us about the future of Indian politics?
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:
 |  I am glad the people have found the alternative and I think it is a better organised party who can organise the country better  |
The BJP should be given a chance. We gave the Congress 50 years to prove themselves and what do they have to show - 800m people under the poverty line. In a great country with a population of over a billion the Congress does not have an Indian leader. It is more of a statement that no Indian is good enough to rule India. I am glad the people have found the alternative and I think it is a better organised party who can organise the country better.
Nilay, UK
Mr Jogi has been framed by fearful BJP who would not have been able to handle him even as the leader of the opposition party. Congress will be back with a BANG in the General Elections.
Dr S Farishta, India
As an Indian residing abroad, and once congress supporter, it's painful for me to see the way the so called mighty Congress going down to dust. What's next for them? Maybe inviting Musharraf to head the party and stand as prime ministerial candidate? I'm really happy to see that the party headed by a strong person like Vajpayee won the elections. It's high time for Congress to do a self analysis.
Dibyendu, USA
The results of assembly polls give an indication of likely results of general elections. Many people are saying that this win was due to anti-incumbency against Congress governments. But, it should be remembered that as BJP is ruling at centre, it would also have been at a disadvantage.
Sidhartha, India
| I don't think India should be a secular country, but it should be a Hindu republic |
Many contributors have stated that the BJP is against secularism in India. However the question is "should India be a secular country"? After all Pakistan and Bangladesh were created for disaffected Muslims in India. I don't think India should be a secular country, but it should be a Hindu republic. After all no one bats an eyelid at the number of Islamic countries in the world, or demand secularism from them.
P Fatania, England
BJP is following the footsteps of British during British rule in India that is Divide and Rule. They are dividing Hindus and Muslims and ruling but the public cannot be fooled for long time.
Moiz, India
Women political leaders are gradually becoming popular with Indian voters. Soon India may go for more woman leaders for better governance
Mrs Mahalakshmi V., India
BJP has made promises to be leading India to development and corrupt free.
Gurucharan, India
| These results very clearly prove that people have rejected the leadership of a person born in Italy |
These results very clearly prove that people have rejected the leadership of a person born in Italy. They want leadership of a true Indian born in India. In UK or USA only person born in that country can become President or Prime Minister. Indians want to follow the same in India.
Vickey, UK This is good news for India, since the country has shown a lot of progress under the BJP rule. India is a very religious country and an overwhelming majority of Indians are Hindus. The BJP party seem to be the only ones who boldly acknowledge Hindutva ("Hindu-ism").
So, who else do you think the overwhelming majority of Indians will vote for?
VA, UK
The Hindu nationalist face of the BJP spell trouble for a secular India. They have brought development at a terrible price!
Siddharth, India
I think it is a mistake to equate the BJP to extremist organizations in the world, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. I want to remind people that for all its right-wing policies the BJP is still a democratically elected party.
Trivikram Krishnamurthy, India
| Good news for democracy. Instead of non-issues like Ayodhya and secularism, the issue was development |
Good news for democracy. Instead of non-issues like Ayodhya and secularism, the issue was development. Now politicians or rulers must realise that development matters most to the public then mere rhetoric. The other point is decline of Congress. Congress must get ride of power brokers and portray itself as real party of common man and caring for every section of society. This is their last chance. If they fail in the coming general elections then it will be really impossible for them to come to power in future. My other fear is, if they lose in next election, Congress will disintegrate and Sonia has to quit the politics.
Pritam Mehta, USA
BJP wining in three states in recent election is excellent news and may this continue further to the rest of Bharat BJP has bought stability at home economically and security wise compared to previous governments. More importantly world has taken notice of India under this government for its economic and military ability and potential superpower which it deserves to be with its intelligent, hard working, democratic population.
Ajay H Popat, UK
The popularity of a Hindu nationalist party is not a good omen. India has a diversity of ethnic groups and religions. The rise and absolute dominance of the Hindu extremists will inevitably lead to social polarization and eventual conflict. BJP's leadership must not play the politics of division as it will only lead to catastrophe for India.
Munsif Jan, Australia
These elections in the four Indian states are a sign of the times in the Indian subcontinent. In Bangladesh there is at the moment an alliance of a fascist anti-liberation party with Islamic extremists, in India there is a clear consolidation of the anti-secular extremist BJP, and of course in Pakistan, the fascist juntas that committed genocide in East Bengal in 1971 continues to reign supreme.
How sadly have the people of the Indian subcontinent forgotten the example of unity of people like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the man who led India's independence from British imperialism by bringing people of all faiths together to fight for a worthy cause!
Tahseen Ali, Thimpu, Bhutan
The results are clear. Those who do not work for the welfare of citizen will meet the same fate as of Chief Minister of MP.
Vkvora, India
BJP, without any doubt, deserves to be in power in Indian states as well as at the centre. Being away from India for the last few years, It gives me great pride and an inside view of how India's image, importance and policies have improved, and BJP (and our very own Mr. Vajpayee) deserve total credit for this. And if these improvements are to be continued, we need Vajpayee as our leader. Jai Hind!
Hardy V, USA
| The BJP in no way represents the image of India our founding fathers envisioned |
The BJP in no way represents the image of India our founding fathers envisioned. If this is our new image in the world, then God help us all!
Remesh Bhatt, India
Even if the results are deemed as anti-incumbency vote, there is little doubt that the country is swinging towards Hindu fundamentalism and radicalism. Mrs Sonia Gandhi should seriously consider to relinquish the leadership of Congress, howsoever unpalatable a course, to save India's secularism and the country from becoming a prey to Hindu nationalism for a long dark period.
Raj Krishna, USA
Economic reforms, stability, national pride - if the BJP could add secularism to their agenda and separate religion state, there is no looking back. As for the congress, it's time they elected an "Indian-Born" leader to be a true force to be reckoned with. Otherwise they are history.
Prasad Dindigal, USA
| These elections are a harbinger to better times for India |
These elections are a harbinger to better times for India. They point out that Indians will support a strongly nationalist, patriotic party which fights elections on issues of development. They also sound the death knell for the politics of dynasty - remember that it was none other than Mahatma Gandhi who has advocated that the Congress be dissolved and disbanded after independence - for he has already seen the politics of cronyism and dynastic succession appear within the once great party. Nationalism is no longer a "dirty word" - what is sad is a group of capable individuals bearing servitude to a foreign born, foreign educated lady for the sake of prospering in the shadow of her family name.
J Mukherji, USA India has suffered for too many decades the corruption and bribery of Congress politicians that were and still are reliant on minority groups and dynastic succession. Never have they truly represented the masses. It is great to see a party that stands up for the masses with the BJP in power. Successful and sound economic policies, good governance and a well-threaded foreign policy is the key of the present BJP administration.
Mehul Shah, UK
It is shameful to see the International media portraying the BJP as "Hindu Nationalist", and giving the phrase a negative meaning. Under the BJP, India has witnessed growth, increased spending on infrastructure and society. If that is what is "Hindu nationalism" for the Western media, I am proud to say that I am a Hindu Nationalist and support the BJP.
Abhejit Agarwal, USA
BJP winning these elections is good as they have provided the country a clear sense of direction especially in the economy and foreign affairs. It is also essential to have a good opposition in case they go astray. And the Congress is failing by the day in this regard. All opinions seem to indicate that Sonia has bad advisors. Nobody seems to question if the Congress leadership needs to be revamped starting with Sonia. When will the Congress worms develop a backbone!
Shekar, USA
It is sad to hear that the pro-Hindu nationalists spearheaded by the BJP are emerging and consolidating their positions in the elections. The reason behind this trend being the confusion among the poor layman to distinguish between Indian nationalism and a Hindu nationalism. India being a secular country cannot afford to have a pro-religious party emerging at the expense of other secular parties. Accommodating the Muslim minority is vital to the survival of the secularism in India, who make about 10% of the population and for exceeding the number of Muslims in any other Muslim country.
Srinivasan Toft, Denmark
The results show the impatience of people with Congress. The Indians have made it clear that they are not tolerate the politics of inheritance. Long live BJP!
Vara Prasad Goluguri, India/Denmark
The BJP's win in the states is worrying news for both Indians and other neighbouring nations. The problem is linked to the extremist mandate the party adheres to. Some international commentators have termed the government as a far-right outfit, whose policies openly discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race and religion. Some of the key cabinet members are openly against art and popular Western culture. India's recent development has not been shared out evenly among the masses and this will add to the underlying social tensions between the rich and the poor. The country is populated by diverse people and cultures and is fast becoming an uncontrollable boiling pot waiting to topple over.
Farooq Malik, London, UK
| One now hopes that this momentum can be carried through to the national elections. |
It is excellent to see BJP win in these states. One now hopes that this momentum can be carried through to the national elections. For around 50 years, Cong(I) has wrecked India with its corruption, and its obsession with regressive socialistic protectionism. The economy of India has taken too much abuse for too long. A strong BJP party at the centre, will be a welcome relief from the myopic Cong(I), and its obsession with socialism. Even in the arena of foreign policy, BJP has shown itself to be far more mature and strategic in its actions, than the Cong(I) in the last 25 years or so. For those who claim that BJP is a "right-wing" party, they should realize that the current president of India who is from the minority community, was nominated by the BJP.
Shiva Raaghavan, India I don't agree for a moment that it's a victory that BJP deserved, instead it's a defeat that Congress has brought upon itself. When a voter has no ray of hope it ousts the one in power and brings new faces in. However in India time and again we have seen that this changes nothing. After five years we will be talking of anti-incumbency against the BJP. This is not progress. We need radical reforms of the decrepit system that the British bequeathed. Indianise these and make them work for Indian villages. Ever increasing population of cities indicate the lop sided, patchy development India has embarked upon and villages are left behind. We should learn our lesson from China's experience.
Parth, UK
This is largely an anti-incumbency vote. Although it could work out well for the BJP in the coming national elections. At any rate, the Congress lacks leadership and any coherent vision of the future India. They have failed to make a mark as the main opposition party in parliament. Importantly, they have also lost two good leaders since the last national elections - Rajesh Pilot and Madhavrao Scindia.
Amit Prasad, India
I don't think that within their inner circles, the BJP will be leaping for joy too much. Last time around, it was Congress who ousted the BJP in the state elections, but then it fared miserably in the national elections. So the BJP must try hard not to let that happen this time.
Aruni, India/UK
These results clearly demonstrates that contrary to the popular myth Indian electorate is not swayed by narrow choices of caste and religion. But, it uses its democratic rights, for the economic development and social uplifting of the population. It also sends signal to the rest of the developing world that it is only the civil democracy which is the best form of governance, not dictatorship or theocracy.
Gopal Sharma, England
I feel its time people have started realising what is good for them. I have no doubt in my mind that the BJP at present has the best set of leaders that could lead India into a whole new era. It was good for the party to drop its shackles of Hindu nationalism, that's what paid off. The country has seen a tremendous growth and people are hopeful of that in future. The most striking feature of this government has been its foreign policy, which is strong with a strong message. Everyone is talking about economic slump worldwide, go to India and you will find none, more jobs than ever. Thus this election saw the people entrust their support to the best.
Shubham Agarwal, India/USA
BJP winning 3 states which are ruled by Congress party is a very good and positive result. Congress party is just a bunch of leaders who are clueless about good governance and speak of pseudo secularism and are even afraid of speaking against terrorism for the fear of antagonising Muslim voters. All the Congress leaders believe is that having a member of Nehru/Gandhi family as their leader will ensure their win in the elections and they can enjoy the power. India as a nation has been registering good growth under the BJP rule, BJP is also serious about tackling the threat of terrorism. This, no doubt is a positive result and good for the future of India as a whole.
Balaji Raghavan, USA
Why did BJP win? It was believed to be the party for development. These elections were not fought on Hindutva. Indians want better infrastructure. While Congress has a lot to learn (amazing that it hasn't learnt after 50 years), BJP needs to remember they have to keep commitment for development, and rid India of deep-rooted corruption. Today's India is with any party that promises these. But can the BJP deliver? It certainly seems best suited for progressing the nation at this stage.
Jayanta, UK
| It seems there is a general rise of right wing parties around the world |
It seems there is a general rise of right wing parties around the world. Places like the Italy, Turkey, Malaysia, Netherlands, Australia, US, Austria, India and even France have a resurgent right wing/nationalist movement. I believe this is a response to a world that is more dangerous and where cultures are under pressure due to globalism. People are looking for both physical and cultural protection.
Peter Vevang, USA To Peter Vevang: My friend, you are right on the money! I wish more people could clearly understand the macro-political reality of the new century. As an American I am extremely happy to see another great democracy taking its place of leadership in the world. India has everything it takes to become a world super-power in the near future, if only the socialist don't mess it up for her. Good luck and watch out for those guys that promise everything for free!
Craig Traylor, Texas, USA
Attributing the regional wins to the popularity of Hindu nationalism is complete hogwash. I would not read too deeply into the Congress loss. This seems to be a very common pattern for many years wherein the incumbent government is thrown out of power and the opposition wins. In fact, Congress and the Telugu Desam Party are the only parties that seem to beat the anti-incumbency factors (Delhi in 2003, Madhya Pradesh in 1998 and Andhra Pradesh in 1998). Wait for the next elections and you will see the reversal of what it is now (unless of course the BJP does really does some path breaking development).
Prashanth Dhulipala, USA
This indicates that the people of India are no longer prepared to accept second best politicians. BJP is the champion of progression, social development, free market policies and good governance.
Swapan, UK/USA
| Congress needs to learn that the Nehru/Gandhi family no longer fascinate Indians |
These results show that people want progressive parties like BJP which will bring good governance and development in these states. Congress needs to learn that the Nehru/Gandhi family no longer fascinate Indians. It is time for them to ditch Sonia and dynasty rule and pay attention to development of Indian states rather than trying to appeal to minorities to vote for them by putting down the BJP.
Angela, India/USA The poor will continue to suffer despite endless promises made by various political parties during these elections. Like in the past, anti-incumbency issues and/or corruption in public life were the main decisive factors in these elections.
Mahesh Chandra Somani, India/Finland
Right-wing Hindu fanaticism is a growing danger, is what this tells us. Look at what happened at Ayodhya and Gujarat. There is no politics left. It's all about religion now and it's a disaster for minority communities, India's diversity and its very future.
Bilal Patel, London, UK
This could be troubling news for Congress. These polls were focused more on local issues than the coming Lok Sabha elections where Sonia will be no match for Vajpayee-Advani. The "foreigner" factor will play again. Congress needs new leadership at the top to gain the support of parties like NCP and SP to have any chance to form a coalition government. Their parties oppose Sonia and without them Congress cannot even think of forming a government. Advantage BJP.
Gautam, India/USA
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