Text of PM’s statement after the relief operations review meeting in Cyclone-hit Vizag

परसों जो भयंकर cyclone आया, और उसके कारण आंध्र को और कुछ भाग में उड़ीसा को जो संकट झेलना पड़ा, अनेक लोगों को अपने प्राण खोने पड़े, इस कठिनाइयों से गुजरे हुए सभी नागरिक भाइयों-बहनों के प्रति मैं अपनी सहानुभूति प्रकट करता हूं। इस संकट के समय पूरा देश, भारत सरकार, आंध्र के साथ Vizag के लोगों के साथ पूरी ताकत से खडे हैं। आवश्यक सभी मदद भारत सरकार करेगी।

इस Cyclone में Technology का बहुत ही Perfect उपयोग हुआ, पहले दिन से ही। इस Cyclone में मौसम विभाग ने Technology का बखूबी उपयोग किया और 6 तारीख से ही ये संकेत दे दिए गए थे। जो अनुमान थे, उतनी ही Velocity रही। जो दिशा थी अनुमानित, वही दिशा रही। जो अनुमानित Time था, वही Time रहा। और एक प्रकार से इस संकट से बचने में ये Technology का उपयोग भी काफी काम आया।

दूसरी सबसे महत्‍वपूर्ण बात हुई, जब केंद्र और राज्‍य, दोनों, कंधे-से-कंधा मिला करके काम करते हैं, सही दिशा में काम करते हैं, तो कितने बड़े संकट क्‍यों न हो, उन संकटों से उभरा जा सकता है। आंध्र Government और भारत सरकार ने 5 दिन लगातार minute-to-minute Perfect Co-ordination के साथ काम किया। Local Body ने भी उसको पूरी तरह Follow किया। मैं Vizag के नागरिकों का भी अभिनंदन करना चाहता हूं कि संकट के समय उन्‍होंने सरकार की सूचनाओं का पालन किया। पूरी तरह से discipline को माना, और उसके कारण लोगों की जिंदगी बचाने में हम सफल हुए। इन संकटों के बावजूद भी, यह एक भयंकर Cyclone था। आपने तो इसको खुद ही अनुभव किया है।

आपने जो धैर्य रखा…. और आज भी मैं बहुत दूर गया। मैंने हवाई निरीक्षण करके ओडि़शा का इलाका भी देखा आज। मैंने पहले कहा, उस प्रकार से भारत सरकार इस संकट के समय पूरी तरह आंध्र सरकार के साथ रहेगी। भारत सरकार के जो कई establishments हैं, उनका भी भारी नुकसान हुआ है। Coast guard हो, Navy हो, Railways, Airlines, National Highways, उन सबके लिए भी भारत सरकार की तरफ से लोग आएंगे, survey करेंगे और उसकी चिंता भी हम करेंगे।

अभी जितनी जानकारी मुझे मिली है, detailed survey भी हम करेंगे, भारत सरकार की भी team आएगी। किसानों का भी यह फसल का आखिरी समय था। इसलिए बहुत नुकसान उसके कारण किसानों का भी हुआ था। तो Agriculture survey, Property का जो नुकसान हुआ है, उसके लिए, मैं Insurance कंपनियों को भी सूचना करूंगा, वो तत्‍काल अपने लोग लगाएं। और Private Insurance वाले जो लोग हैं, उनके साथ बैठ करके सहानुभूतिपूर्वक उनकी सारी Claims को तुरंत workout करे, उनकी मदद करें। मैं Insurance Companies को भी आग्रहपूर्वक ये विषय बता दूंगा।

तत्‍काल जो अवस्था हैं, उसमें इतना बड़ा काम है। आंध्र प्रदेश एक तो नया-नया राज्‍य बना है। उसको अभी कई चीजें करनी बांकी है। ऐसे में इतना बड़ा संकट आया है। दूसरी तरफ, अभी 15 दिन पहले तो मैं इतना उत्‍साह और उमंग से उछल रहा था। Vizag को Smart City बनाने का सपना ले कर के। अचानक ये कसौटी आ गई है, लेकिन मुझे विश्‍वास है कि हम इस कसौटी से बाहर निकलेंगे। और बहुत ही जल्‍द सारी व्‍यवस्‍थाएं Normal हो जाएंगी और जो नुकसान हुआ, उसको भी ठीक करने में हम सफल हो जाएंगे। बिजली, पानी, Communication, इन चीजों को हमने प्राथमिकता दी है और कुछ ही घंटों में बहुत ही जल्‍द इन चीजों में सुधार आ जाएगा।

भारत सरकार के प्रतिनिधियों को मैंने Special इस काम के लिए depute किया है। आंध्र सरकार पूरी तरह लगी हुई है। तो जनसुविधा की जो प्राथमिक आवश्‍यकताएं हैं, वो भी तुरंत चालू कर दी जाएँगीं। अभी पूरा सर्वे होना बांकी है। लेकिन तत्‍काल इतने बड़े संकट को पहुंचने के लिए भारत सरकार की तरफ से एक Interim Assistance के रूप में 1,000 करोड़ रुपए भारत सरकार की तरफ से देने की मैं घोषणा करता हूं।

तुरंत Survey होने के बाद आगे भी भारत सरकार आंध्र के साथ, वाइजाग के साथ पूरी तरह साथ रहकर के इन समस्‍याओं से निकलने के लिए जो भी आवश्‍यकता होगी, उसको पूरा करेंगे। जिन लोगों ने अपना जीवन खो दिया है, जिनकी मृत्‍यु हुई है, उन (के परिजनों) को प्रधानमंत्री राहत कोष से 2 लाख रुपए और जिनको injury हुई है, उनको 50,000 रुपए भी भारत सरकार के प्रधानमंत्री राहतकोष से हम देंगें।

धन्‍यवाद।

UPDATE 4-Obama ends day of Indian pageantry with $4 billion pledge

U.S. President Barack Obama ended a landmark day in India on Monday with a pledge of $4 billion in investments and loans, seeking to release what he called the "untapped potential" of a business and strategic partnership between the world's largest democracies.

Earlier in the day, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Obama was the first U.S. president to attend India's annual Republic Day parade, a show of military might that has been associated with Cold War anti-Americanism.

It rained as troops, tanks and cultural floats filed through the heart of New Delhi, but excitement nevertheless ran high over Obama's visit, which began on Sunday with a clutch of deals to unlock billions of dollars in nuclear trade and to deepen defence ties.

Both sides hope to build enough momentum to forge a relationship that will help balance China's rise by catapulting democratic India into the league of major world powers.

The leaders talked on first name terms, recorded a radio programme together and spent hours speaking at different events, but despite the bonhomie, Obama and Modi reminded business leaders, including the head of PepsiCo, that trade ties were still fragile.

India accounts for only 2 percent of U.S. imports and one percent of its exports, Obama said. While annual bilateral trade had reached $100 billion, that is less than a fifth of U.S. trade with China.

"We are moving in the right direction ... That said, we also know that the U.S.-India relationship is defined by so much untapped potential," Obama told the Indian and U.S. business leaders. "Everyone here will agree, we've got to do better."

Modi said U.S. investment in India had doubled in the past four months and vowed to do more to slash the country's notorious red tape and make it one of the world's easiest places for business.

Obama said that U.S. Export-Import Bank would finance $1 billion in exports of 'Made-in-America' products. The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation will lend $1 billion to small- and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas of India.

Regarding renewable energy, a key focus for Modi, $2 billion will be committed by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency for renewable energy, Obama said.

Most significant was an agreement on issues that, despite a groundbreaking 2006 pact, had stopped U.S. companies from setting up nuclear reactors in India and had become one of the major irritants in bilateral relations.

"Mr. Obama breaks N-deadlock," ran the front-page headline of the Mail Today newspaper, which carried a photograph of Modi and Obama hugging each other warmly.

GLOBAL REACH

Obama and Modi sat behind a rain-spotted screen as the parade unfolded along Rajpath, an elegant lawn-bordered boulevard dating from the British colonial era that connects the presidential palace to India Gate.

Helicopters showered petals on the crowds, and then tanks, missiles, stiffly saluting soldiers, brass bands and dancers filed past the guests.

Obama's presence at the parade signals Modi's willingness to end India's traditional reluctance to get too close to any big power. Instead, he is seeking close ties with them all, even as he pushes back against China and take sides on other global issues.

Modi has injected a new vitality into the economy and foreign relations since his May elections.

Obama's second visit to India is the latest upturn in a roller-coaster relationship with Washington that a year ago was scarred by protectionism and a fiery diplomatic spat.

The United States views India as a vast market and potential counterweight to China's assertiveness, but has been frustrated with the pace of New Delhi's economic reforms.

"There are still too many barriers, hoops to jump through, bureaucratic restrictions that make it hard to start a business, or to export, to import, to close a deal, deliver on a deal," Obama told a forum of CEOs from both countries in New Delhi.

In a joint statement that made a veiled reference to China's territorial claims, Modi and Obama stated their commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

India could even play a role in battling Islamic State, the White House said on Monday, underlining the confidence that New Delhi is increasingly prepared to engage with global security.

"The leaders agreed to exchange information on individuals returning from these conflict zones and to continue to cooperate in protecting and responding to the needs of civilians caught up in these conflicts," the two sides said in a joint statement.

They also agreed to a 10-year framework for defence ties and struck deals on cooperation that included joint production of drone aircraft and equipment for Lockheed Martin Corp's C-130 military transport plane.

Obama in India joins Modi at Delhi Republic Day parade

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US President Barack Obama has attended India's Republic Day parade in Delhi, the first US head of state to do so.

Mr Obama was chief guest at the annual military parade. He arrived on Sunday for a three-day visit seen as a sign of warming ties between the two countries.

After talks on Sunday, both sides announced a breakthrough on a pact that will allow US companies to supply India with civilian nuclear technology.

Indian PM Narendra Modi said it was a "new journey" of co-operation.

Mr Obama will meet the main opposition Congress party leaders later on Monday and will also speak at a business summit.

Trade vow

Republic Day marks the adoption of India's constitution in 1950, three years after independence from Britain.

Uniformed soldiers in colourful headgear marched down Rajpath, or King's Avenue, where Mr Obama watched the parade with Mr Modi inside a bullet-proof glass enclosure.

Mr Obama watched the parade with Mr Modi inside a bullet-proof glass enclosure

Tanks and missile launchers rolled down the Rajpath in central Delhi

Paramilitary soldiers on motorbikes performed daredevil stunts

Huge crowds and thousands of security personnel attended the parade on a cold, wet day

"Warm hugs" have set the tone for the visit, as the BBC's Yogita Limaye reports

Helicopters showered petals on the crowds and brass bands and dancers filed past the guests on a foggy, rainy morning.

"The day is all about patriotism and I'm lucky to be a part of it," Ajith Kumar, a student watching the parade, said. "The fact that we have a guest like Obama has made it all the more special."

The US president received a warm welcome on Sunday when Mr Modi greeted him at the airport with a bear hug.

The two men spent several hours discussing defence and trade ties, and then announced the breakthrough on the civilian nuclear deal.

The pact was agreed in 2008 but has been held up for six years because of differences over the liability US firms would face in India in the event of a nuclear accident.

The US president came to the venue along with First Lady Michelle

Rain failed to dampen spirits with thousands turning up to watch the parade

Mr Modi's colourful headgear attracted a lot of attention

Indian dancers also performed at the parade

Now a large insurance pool will be set up, without the need for any further legislation.

The two sides have also pledged to increase their bilateral trade five-fold, from the current $100bn (£66.7bn) a year, and build co-operation on defence projects.

Mr Obama's visit to India has been shortened so he can visit Saudi Arabia and pay his respects following the death of King Abdullah. It means he and his wife, Michelle, will not now visit the Taj Mahal.

Read more:

As Modi hugs Obama, China sends a quick flying kiss

As Modi hugs Obama, China sends a quick flying kiss

China on Monday said it is ready to make concerted efforts with India to lift their bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level as they pursue a great dream of national rejuvenation. Greeting India on its 66th Republic Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a message to President Pranab Mukherjee, said China is delighted with India's achievements in its development.

Both China and India, as two ancient civilisations, are pursuing a great dream of national rejuvenation, he said. Xi said China is willing to make concerted efforts with India to lift their strategic cooperative partnership oriented to peace and prosperity to a higher level this year which marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

In his message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in recent years, China and India have kept a stronger momentum in joining hands for cooperation and seeking common development. China is ready to work with India to deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and build a closer partnership of development, he said.

US President Barack Obama hugs India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives at Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi January 25, 2015.
             
China also extended conditional support for India's Nuclear Suppliers Group membership bid but said "prudence and caution" needs to be exercised on the issue, a day after US President Barack Obama backed India's inclusion into the elite 48-member body.

"We believe that such (an) inclusion should be conducive to the integrity and effectiveness of the regime and decision should be made on consensus. We notice India's  commitment to relevant issues," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a media briefing. "We support the group to include new members and we support India to take further measures to meet the requirements for the inclusion in the group," she said.

In an effort to strengthen global non-proliferation and export control regimes, India and the US yesterday committed to continue to work towards India's phased entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group. This was stated in the joint statement after President Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi.

US President Barack Obama (right) has attended India's Republic Day parade in Delhi.  

Besides clearing the obstacles for the implementation of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, President Obama reaffirmed the US' position that India meets MTCR requirements, India is ready for NSG membership and that it supports India's early application and eventual membership in all four regimes.

Asked whether China wants to back any other country's entry into NSG, a key body that controls the international civil nuclear trade regime, Hua said, "as for the expansion of the group, the members should make the decision on consensus after thorough discussions. India's inclusion into this group is an internal matter of the group. It needs prudence and caution and thorough discussions among all members." "We support such discussion and we also support India's inclusion into this group if it meets all the requirements," she said.

PDP largest party in J&K, BJP to form govt. in Jharkhand

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  BJP workers celebrate outside party office in Harmu, Ranchi on Tuesday.
• 
  AP

  Supporters of People's Democratic Party (PDP) celebrate the news of early election result trends outside a counting centre in Srinagar on Tuesday.
• 
  The Hindu

  File picture shows Kashmiris waiting to cast their votes during the first phase of elections in Sumbal, Bandipora district. Photo: Nissar Ahmad

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Arjun Munda loses from the Kharsawan (ST) constituency

Party position in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls:

Party	Won	Leading	Total
Bharatiya Janata Party	25	0	25
Communist Party of India (Marxist)	1	0	1
Indian National Congress	11	1	12
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference	15	0	15
Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party	28	0	28
Jammu & Kashmir People Conference	2	0	2
Jammu And Kashmir People Democratic Front (Secular)	1	0	1
Independent	3	0	3
Total	86	1	87

Party position in Jharkhand Assembly polls:

Party	Won	Leading	Total
Bahujan Samaj Party	0	1	1
Bharatiya Janata Party	37	0	37
Indian National Congress	5	1	6
AJSU Party	5	0	5
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha	18	1	19
Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik)	7	1	8
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation)	1	0	1
Jai Bharat Samanta Party	1	0	1
Jharkhand Party	1	0	1
Marxist Co-Ordination	1	0	1
Navjawan Sangharsh Morcha	1	0	1
Total	77	4	81

7:13 pm: BJP-AJSU alliance wins absolute majority in Jharkhand. BJP wins 37 seats, while AJSU Party bags 5 in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly.

7:03 pm: Jharkhand Drinking and Sanitation Minister Jai Prakash Bhai Patel defeats BJP’s Kumar Mahesh Singh by over 7,000 votes from Mandu seat.

Former minister and JMM’s Joba Manjhi wins the Manoharpur (ST) seat defeating her nearest rival BJP’s Gurucharan Naik by over 17,000 votes.

Disaster Management Minister Mannan Malick (Congress) has lost to BJP’s Raj Sinha by over 52,000 votes from the Dhanbad constituency.

6:50 pm: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi (JVM-P) loses to CPI (ML-Liberation) candidate Raj Kumar Yadav in Dhanwar by 10,712 votes.

5:44 pm: Record turnout in J&K showed people's faith in democracy; I thank them from bottom of my heart for placing their confidence in BJP: PM

5:29 pm: Party president Amit Shah does not rule out joining hands with either PDP or National Conference saying “all options are open”. 

5:23 pm: First time in the political history of Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim candidate has won the elections on a BJP ticket by triumphing over a Hindu contestant of National Conference in Kalakote Assembly seat of Rajouri district. 

5:17 pm:

5.06 pm: Congress is not averse to supporting PDP to form government in J&K, says party spokesperson Ajoy Kumar.

4.50 pm: We are not in a hurry to cobble up numbers. Will explore possibilities to give a credible govt., says Ms. Mehbooba

4:41 pm: Mandate is not decisive and below our expectations, says PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti.

4:15 pm: JVM (Prajatantrik) candidate Amar Kumar Bauri defeats sitting AJSU party MLA Uma Kant Rajak by about 34,000 votes from Chandankiyari (SC) seat.

3:49 pm: BJP set to form govt in Jharkhand, celebrations begin. 

3:45 pm: Sita Murmu alias Sita Soren of JMM wins Jama seat beating her nearest BJP rival Suresh Murmu by 2,306 votes.

3:43 pm: BJP has strengthen its position in Jharkhand, where the party has increased its seats from 18 in 2009 to 41 this year: Shah

3:40 pm: All options are open in Jammu and Kashmir: Amit Shah on having alliance in the State for govt. formation.

3:31 pm: Will provide a good government in Jharkhand: BJP President Amit Shah

3:22 pm: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda loses from Kharsawan (ST) to Dasrath Gagrai of JMM.

News Analysis: The results in Jharkhand — as also in Jammu and Kashmir — signal that the fight in the future elections will be between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and regional parties. 

3:17 pm: In Kanke(SC), BJP’s Jitu Charan Ram beat Congress’ Suresh Baitha by over 59,000.

3:14 pm: Former Speaker and BJP’s sitting MLA C.P. Singh wins Ranchi seat, defeating JMM’s Mahua Maji by over 58,000 votes.

3:13 pm: BJP candidate Ramkumar Pahan wins Khijri (ST) seat, defeating Congress candidate Sundri Devi by over 64,000 votes.

3:12 pm: JVM(P) candidate Naveen Jaiswal wins Hatia seat by defeating nearest BJP rival Seema Sharma by 8,000 votes.

3:07pm: PDP emerging as largest party in a hung house, BJP second.

3:03 pm: Dinesh Oraon of BJP wins Sisai seat by defeating nearest JMM rival Susaran Horo by 2,593 votes.

3:00 pm: Chamra Linda of JMM wins Bishunpur seat by defeating Samir Oraon of BJP by 10,843 votes.

2:58 pm: BJP inching closer to form government in Jharkhand. 

2:56 pm: BJP candidate Dina Nath defeats his nearest rival Krishan Chander of Congress by a margin of 20,332 votes in Chenani Assembly of Udhampur district. Nath polled 33,047 votes, while Chander polled 12,715 votes.

2:48 pm: Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) candidate Ganesh Ganjhu wins Simaria seat defeating his nearest BJP rival Sujeet Kumar Bharati by 15,640 votes.

2:40 pm: BJP candidate Raghu Nandan Mandal wins Godda seat defeating his nearest Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rival Sanjay Prasad Yadav by 34,486 votes.

2:15 pm: Former Jharkhand deputy chief minister and AJSU party chief Sudesh Kumar Mahto lost Silli seat to his nearest JMM rival Amit Kumar by 29,740 votes.

2:15 pm: Deputy Chief Minister and three time MLA of Congress Tara Chand lost to BJP candidate Dr Krishan Lal with a margin of 14,790 votes in Chhamb Assembly constituency of Jammu district. Chand polled 21,243 votes, while Lal polled 36,033 votes.

2:14 pm: PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed wins from Anantnag seat by 6000 votes.

2:00 pm: Former banker Haseeb Drabu wins from Rajpora as PDP sweeps all four Assembly seats in Pulwama district.

1:55 pm: Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather’s record run in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly ended today when he lost from Charar—e—Sharief while his National Conference colleague Ali Mohammad Sagar equalled his feat of sixth consecutive victories by winning Khanyar seat.

1:40 pm: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wins Beerwah Assembly seat by a margin of over 1000 seats

1.30 pm: Two major upheavals in Jharkhand polls: Chief Minister Hemat Soren lost poll from Dumka assembly constituency, though he has won from Barhet constituency. Jharkhand Vikas Morcha [Prajatantrik] chief Babulal Marandi has also lost from Giridih constituency

1.10 pm: Omar Abdullah leading in Beerwah. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who led the party’s campaign in the state, said it was “open” to aligning with PDP

1.00 pm: In Jammu and Kashmir, while the People's Democratic Party is leading in 31 seats, the BJP is ahead in 21 seats. 

12.45 pm: It will be easier to come together with Congress than BJP to form government in Jammu and Kashmir, senior PDP leader and MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig said on Tuesday. 

12. 35 pm:

12.30 pm: BJP ally All Jharkand Students Union [AJSU] president Sudesh Mahto lost the poll from Silli assembly constituency by over 28,000 votes. Geeta Koda , wife of former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda had won the poll from Jagannathpur constituency, though Madhu Koda had lost election from Majhgaon.

BJP party workers celebrating even while counting was in progress at Ranchi on Tuesday. Photo: Manob Chowdhury

12.10 pm: Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren won the poll from Barhet assembly constituency defeating BJP's Hemlal Murmu by over 23,000 votes...Soren had contested from two seats. Result from Dumka seat is awaited..

12.05 pm: As polls results continue to emerge in Jammu and Kashmir, a hung verdict is the writing on the wall. PDP is emerging as the single largest party as it leads in 32 constituencies, and while BJP is the second party leading in 25 seats, all its candidates are trailing by huge margins in the Kashmir valley.

11.57 am: The BJP Parliamentary Board meeting tomorrow in Delhi to discuss name of the party's chief minister in Jharkhand..

11.41am: The first result from Jharkhand: Scam tainted and former state chief minister Madhu Koda lost the poll from Majhgaon assembly constituency by 15,000 votes .

11.10 am: The trend shows that the BJP even penetrated successfully into Santhal Pargana, stronghold of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha...

The encouraging trends for BJP in Jharkhand has also caste its spell in neighbouring Bihar where some of the ruling party JD-U legislators have said the party should review and revive its alliance with the BJP, though, they are not ready to come on record with their feelings now

9.10 am: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was Tuesday ahead in Jammu and Kashmir followed closely by the BJP as officials counted votes polled in the five-phase assembly elections.

Candidates of the PDP led by Mufti Mohammed Saeed surged ahead in 30 of the 73 seats where early trends were available, officials said. The state assembly has 87 seats. A total of 48.29 lakh votes are to be counted.

8.30 am: The trend for Jharkhand elections clearly shows that BJP heading towards absolute majority in the state with the party leading on 40 seats and its alliance Jharkhand Vikas Morcha on four out of total 81 leaving behind the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha with just 15 seats and the Congress on poor 2 seats. The coming trend of results indicates that there was a strong Narendra Modi wave reeling in the tribal state as corruption has been a major factor in the poll. The tainted Jharkhand leaders like Madhu Koda and Enos Ekka are trailing in their respective constituencies.

8.10 am: Jharkhand, which has been battling Maoist violence, registered an overall 66 per cent turnout for the 81 assembly seats. The State, which was carved out of Bihar in 2000, bettered the previous mark of 54.2 per cent in the 2004 assembly polls. 

7.55 am: Minutes before the counting of votes, let's see what the Exit polls have had to say. 

7. 50 am: The five-phase election in the two States which stretched for nearly a month saw 66 per cent voting with authorities making massive security arrangements to prevent any attempts by militants or Maoists to disrupt the polls. 

Modi's party breaks new ground in two Indian states

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election campaign rally at Kathua, south of Jammu December 13, 2014.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party made big electoral gains in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir and captured power in an eastern state on Tuesday, underscoring the Hindu nationalist's dominance of the political landscape.

The Bharatiya Janata Party won 25 of 87 seats in Kashmir, its best showing ever in the Muslim-majority state, but still way short of a simple majority that it wanted to seize power.

Modi himself campaigned heavily across Kashmir, a top priority for his party which wants closer integration of the revolt-torn Himalayan region with the rest of the country.

Still, it will remain a key player in the state where no single group attained a majority, raising the prospect of a coalition government led by the regional People's Democratic Party (PDP) which won 28 seats.

The rest of the seats were shared by regional parties, the Congress party and independents.

Separatists rejected the election and militants stepped up attacks to disrupt the month-long vote. Pakistan stakes a claim to the territory and calls for talks to resolve the 67-year-old dispute at the heart of hostility between the nuclear armed neighbors.

"In Jammu and Kashmir we have improved our position significantly. We are now a relevant party in Jammu and Kashmir," Amit Shah, the president of the BJP, told a press conference in New Delhi as the results came in.

"I believe that voters have endorsed Modi's style of governance."

Modi came to power in May promising to revive economic growth after the deepest slowdown in a decade under the previous Congress government. He has since won a clutch of state elections.

Voters in the mineral-rich Jharkhand state - the other state to go to the polls - gave the BJP a clear majority, potentially making it easier for Modi's government to kickstart mining projects urgently needed to reduce energy shortages.

State elections determine the number of seats parties have in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament where Modi's group lacks a majority.

The opposition blocked his plans to push through a legislation to increase foreign participation in the insurance sector in the session of parliament that ended on Tuesday.

Assembly poll results: Modi wave works in Jharkhand, but party may still need partners

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s bid for a single-party majority in Jharkhand may fall short of its objective by a whisker, results and counting trends around 12 noon today seemed to indicate. The BJP seems set to fall marginally below the halfway mark of 41 in an 81-seat assembly, though this could change as final results are announced.

This means the next government may still be a coalition led by the BJP, and possibly joined by some independents and/or the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik), which is headed by ex-BJP Chief Minister Babulal Marandi. A BJP-JVM coalition would have a clear majority and would be stable.

Marandi fell out with the party some year ago after Arjun Munda and other MLAs brought his government down. Since then he has been running his own party, with varied success.

The new game in town is to fight separately and cohabit afterwards.

Given the strong showing of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Marandi’s JVM (P), and given the Congress-RJD coalition’s wins in some pockets, there is also the possibility of a non-BJP government in Jharkhand, but it would clearly be full of contradictions and remain shaky – the bane of all Jharkhand governments so far. So one should rule it out as a probability, if not as a possibility.

What the Jharkhand results prove is that the Modi wave has helped the BJP to emerge as the strongest party in the state, but the wave was not strong enough to beat back the counter-waves of tribal loyalties and rival coalitions, as shown by the good showing by the JMM, Congress-RJD and Marandi’s JVM(P).

Just as BJP’s Mission 44 failed in Jammu & Kashmir when the opposition recalibrated its strategy to stop Modi’s surge, the party’s showing in Jharkhand indicates that Narendra Modi will now have to spend time giving his allies due space and also rein in the hotheads in the Sangh parivar from taking the party towards Hindutva, sinking his governance agenda further.

The J&K and Jharkhand results are the first indications that the BJP, even though resurgent in most parts, has to recalibrate its strategy of going it alone all the time when the opposition to it is also beginning to see the need to work together.

In fact, if the JMM and JVM had fought the elections together, or the JMM and Congress/RJD alliances had entered into seat adjustments, the results could have been quite different. The rival combos would have equalled the BJP’s solo vote share.

However, it is also possible that parties fighting separately can garner more votes than when fighting together. The Congress-JMM coalition, by breaking up before the elections, has managed to garner over 30 percent of the popular vote- ahead of the BJP by a small margin.

This has been the pattern in J&K too, where the National Conference and the Congress fought the elections separately to tell the voters different stories in the valley and in Jammu.

The new game in town is to fight separately and cohabit afterwards.