The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies are set to retain power in India’s richest state, in a major boost to prime minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist party. The Mahayuti alliance,

The party and its allies are however looking at a defeat in the mining state of Jharkhand.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party and its allies were set to return to power in the nation's richest state, television channels reported on Saturday, a boost for the Hindu-nationalist leader after a disappointing general election.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling alliance is leading in polls in Maharashtra by a wide margin, signaling policy continuity in a state which houses most of India’s billionaires and is home to some of the country’s biggest investments.

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