CHENNAI (Reuters) – Millions of Indians have turned up at polling stations to cast their ballot on Thursday in high-stakes state elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
A Tamil Nadu voter who had turned up in the early hours said it was “nice to feel that I am doing this for my state,” adding that she was also hoping for a lot of development.
The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has never ruled West Bengal but says it wants to win to curb what it calls illegal immigration from neighbouring Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
In Tamil Nadu, a coalition that includes the BJP is expected to mount a close challenge against a ruling regional party, Vote Vibe said.
State elections do not directly affect the stability of India's federal government but are closely watched as a test of voter sentiment toward the ruling coalition.