Last yr, the federal government banned the hijab — the headband worn by some ladies within the Muslim minority — in Karnataka authorities faculties, stoking sectarian tensions and sparking violence.

In one in all virtually 20 election rallies he has held within the state, Modi praised an incendiary new movie that wildly exaggerates the variety of Hindu ladies changing to Islam and becoming a member of the Islamic State jihadist group.

In one other speech, the 72-year-old Modi, who’s broadly anticipated to run once more within the 2024 nationwide elections, inspired individuals to vote whereas chanting an ode to the Hindu monkey god Hanuman.

Karnataka’s most up-to-date election in 2018 noticed the BJP emerge as the highest vote-getter however fall wanting securing a ruling majority within the state of over 60 million individuals.

They assumed energy a yr later — allegedly by persuading members of the ruling coalition to defect.

But staying in energy may very well be arduous, with the BJP’s recognition hit by corruption allegations and the opposition Congress get together campaigning arduous on guarantees of free electrical energy and rice for the poor.

Congress has additionally promised to ban Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist group, if voted to energy, prompting BJP accusations that it’s towards the Hindu majority.

But political scientist Sanjay Kumar mentioned that whereas a loss in Karnataka could be a blow to the BJP, it supplied little indication of how the BJP would carry out nationwide in 2024.

“Whether the party wins an election or loses an election, they just look forward to the next election,” Kumar informed AFP.

Results from the state election are due on Saturday.

ash-stu/cwl