Modi’s party poised for big wins in Indian state elections

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party is set to win two of ⁠four crucial state elections, expand its influence and weaken its key rival halfway into his third term in office.Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was expected to return to power in the eastern state of ⁠Assam for the third straight term and was ahead in West Bengal, based on counting trends on the Election Commission website on Monday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Will another film star be able to sway the election in India’s Tamil Nadu?list 2 of 4India denounces ‘hellhole’ remark shared by Trumplist 3 of 4Two Kashmir brothers: One killed by rebels, another by army 26 years laterlist 4 of 4Thousands in India’s Manipur mark three years since ethnic clashes beganend of listElections in five states and territories took place in April and May with the BJP seeking to make inroads into opposition-held states, which would bolster Modi’s ability to tackle a series of economic and foreign policy challenges, including a high unemployment rate and a pending trade deal with the United States.Modi, his closest aide and Home ‌Minister Amit Shah, and several senior BJP leaders have campaigned extensively in West Bengal for weeks,