Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won power for the first time in the northeastern state of Assam, a victory that will help his right-wing nationalist government recover some reform momentum after poll losses last year. Grabbing power in Assam, one of five states electing new legislatures, is a sign that the BJP is expanding its political influence beyond its traditional heartland.

It also meant a bruising day for the Congress party, which has blocked economic reforms in parliament but now looks an increasingly marginalised force after defeats in Assam and Kerala. The BJP and its allies won in at least 80 of the 126 seats in Assam while regional parties triumphed elsewhere. The election commission is expected to announce final seat tallies later on Thursday.

State elections are especially important for Modi’s party because state legislators elect members of the Rajya Sabha where reforms including a landmark tax bill are stuck because it does not have a majority.

Other State’s Results

Kerala

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) won 91 seats with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) at 47 in a state that has stuck to its trend of not voting the same government in twice.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has bucked a similar trend of yo yo politics, handing Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa a second successive term. The AIADMK won 134 seats, well past the half-way mark at 118, while the DMK-Congress got 98 seats.

West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee has constructed another sweep, with her Trinamool Congress winning 211 of the state’s 294 seats. The Left-Congress alliance was far behind at 77.

Puducherry

The Congress has lost two more states – Assam and Kerala. The only good news comes its way from Puducherry, where it won 17 of 30 seats.