Is this really a warning bell for the ruling BJP, the way election results unfolded not only in the two election-bound states but by-elections in several states across the country.  Has the downward spiral started for the BJP?

The party somehow managed to save its government in Maharashtra but it was humbled in Haryana falling short of six seats from the majority. Not only in Haryana where it was neck-and-neck but also in Gujarat – the Hindutva laboratory – the BJP managed to win three out of six seats where by-elections were held. Interestingly OBC leader Alpesh Thakore who joined the BJP resigning from the Congress failed to make it to the Assembly in the by-election.

But the most worrying situation appears to be in Uttar Pradesh where the BJP managed to win 8 seats along with its ally losing out one seat to the Samajwadi Party but the way victory margin has gone down, it appears that the state leadership is unable to hold on the ground in the state. Anger of certain sections against the government is potent future threat for the BJP.

 People have been questioning law and order situation and high handedness of UP CM, now even the party workers have started questioning the state CM. Over half the tenure of the UP government is over but things are getting difficult for the party by the day. Bihar had a different story to tell as NDA failed miserably and AIMIM emerged victorious in the state.

So to say governments in Haryana and Maharashtra will somehow be saved but reputation is shattered as they must have to understand that state government will have to pay attention to local issues. Another thing is that these development will give a boost to opposition block which was otherwise demoralized over the BJP juggernaut.

The BJP under Modi-Shah are a quick learner and will start working to look into the debacle but opposition must also be the same quick to deal with the BJP if it wants to fare better in the future as Jharkhand and Delhi elections are next.

The BJP apparently was not confident of winning elections in Jharkhand so it delayed and Delhi is really difficult with Arvind Kejriwal at the helm. The BJP will try to wrest this downward journey and opposition will try to further corner the BJP. Let’s see how it unfolds in future!

(By Vinod Kumar Shukla)