Millions of Indians have begin voting in elections across two state and a federally administered territory, in a set of contests seen as an early gauge of support for prime minister, Narendra Modi.
The electoral cycle will extend to west Bengal and Tamil Nadu later this month, with results from all five due on 4 May.
For opposition parties, the polls are a test of whether they can unite against BJP dominance.
According to India’s election commission, the five regions have a combined 174 million voters-about 18% of the county’s electorate.
Prime Minister Modi has been actively campaigning, urging voters to participate in large numbers.
The elections are seen as a significant test for the BJP’s influence in these states.
West Bengal, the most populous of the five regions with over 70 millions voters,has been ruled by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool congress since 2011.
Voting will take place in two phases on 23 and 29 April.
wrt; Grace Adeniyi
