The BNP fails on Bangladesh reforms

This week saw the release of long-anticipated election results in key states across India. The elections were expected to be a litmus test for Narendra Modi’s popularity, two years into his third term. The results have seen big shifts, with states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu seeing longstanding incumbents unseated. The final results see the BJP strengthen its hold, while India’s opposition has been weakened. It’s been fascinating to watch this unfold from Sri Lanka, a country where electoral contests have long been a battle between two parties, with the last presidential election being an exception.

As a Sri Lankan, the desire for change feels familiar - voters here have been quick to pin their hopes on an alternative if they feel that the incumbent doesn’t deliver. Still, the results have raised troubling questions about whether India’s fragmented political opposition can operate as a check and balance to the BJP, given the scale of their ambitions. I’ll be keeping a close eye on these and other political developments across Southasia, scouring the headlines so you don’t have to. If you value our coverage of the region, please consider signing up to our Patrons programme to support our work.

This week in Himal

Man reading a newspaper with Tarique Rahman's face on the front page in Bangladesh.

Maruf Hasan writes that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is already falling short on promised reforms to curb executive overreach and implement lasting institutional checks, raising fears that the BNP will return to partisan politics.

Also read: Satire under surveillance in Tibet

Also read: Manoj Jha & Harsh Mander on India’s politics of fear and division

This week in Southasia

Gihan de Chickera

BJP gains, India’s political opposition eroded after assembly elections

This week saw big political shifts with the release of assembly election results from across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the federally-governed territory of Puducherry. In West Bengal, the BJP marked a decisive victory, unseating the Trinamool Congress which had held the state for 15 years, while retaining their control of Assam and Puducherry. Another upset came from Tamil Nadu, with film star turned politician Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam winning the state election and Congress stepping forward to provide conditional support so that the new party can form a government. In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front was unseated by their rival, the United Democratic Front led by the Congress party.

The election results have seen the BJP make gains in several key states at the expense of regional parties that have long stood in opposition to Modi, the BJP and its Hindu nationalist agenda. The election results have further eroded India’s political opposition. Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress has refused to step down, accused the BJP of “forcefully capturing” the election and warned of “one-party-rule”. West Bengal saw the rollout of a Special Intensive Revision process which saw millions of voters struck from electoral rolls, which the TMC charged was an attempt to rig the election in the BJP’s favour. But the extent of the victory indicates that it is an ‘anti-incumbency wave’ that led to change across multiple states – with troubling implications for India.

Fiction Fest from 8-19 June featuring six new works of Southasian translation. Tune in Monday 8 June for announcement of the 2026 Armory Square Prize.

Elsewhere in Southasia:

India’s Union Cabinet approves amendment to make insult, obstruction to singing Vande Mataram a punishable offense, similar to national anthem
Afghanistan says Pakistan killed three civilians, injured 14 in cross-border attack, Pakistan denies liability and says Afghanistan killed one person in Khyber Pakhtunkhwah in foiled suicide attack
Nepali Ministry of Foreign Affairs files complaint after India resumes pilgrimage through contested Lipulekh Pass, reigniting border dispute between Nepal and India
President of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu visits Sri Lanka, signs seven cooperation agreements on education, defence, health and tourism
Pakistan’s Anti Corruption Court rules daughter and son-in-law of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif innocent, drops charges in 2022 money laundering case levelled during former Imran Khan administration
Twenty-two Iranian crew members of cargo ship seized by US on 19 April transferred to Pakistan, 15 repatriated, Pakistan welcomes ‘confidence-building measures’ after stepping into mediator role between Iran and US
Former Myanmar Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi moved from detention to house arrest, military says, in attempt to boost legitimacy of military rule; family say they have no proof
Bangladesh foreign minister visits China, seeks Chinese support for Teesta River restoration project, re-igniting water sharing issue between East India and Bangladesh
Over 250 bodies uncovered in Chemmanai mass grave excavation in Sri Lanka, with third phase resumed after government-ordered seven-month pause due to lack of funds
Sri Lanka arrests more than 260 foreigners, mainly Chinese and Vietnamese, for cybercrime in Colombo