Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party headed for a victory Saturday in state elections in politically significant Maharashtra while the opposition won mineral-rich Jharkhand state. Polling in the two states are seen as a test of Modi's popularity after his party returned to power in June national elections but was

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling alliance is leading in polls in Maharashtra by a wide margin, signaling policy continuity in a state which houses most of India’s billionaires and is home to some of the country’s biggest investments.

Modi's speech comes after the BJP led the Mahayuti Alliance -- which includes the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, BJP and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP -- to sweep the state, with the BJP alone crossing past the 100-seats mark.