BJP hoping to set new records in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh
Deccan ChronicleNEW DELHI: When votes get counted on Thursday for assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will be hoping to set a few new records. The BJP's biggest wish, however, is to see the predictions of exit polls come true – which is registering its best-ever performance in Gujarat, while keeping power in Himachal Pradesh. If the BJP wins big in Gujarat and gets a majority in Himachal Pradesh, such a verdict will give the party a huge morale boost, enthuse its rank and file, and the impression that it is on track to win the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will be further strengthened, said Sanjay Kumar, co-director of Lokniti at the New Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. Kumar said a poor BJP performance may somewhat affect the narrative about its invincibility but noted that its string of losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in 2018 had little impact on its chances in the Lok Sabha polls in 2019 when it ended up sweeping these three states as well.