In March 2018, the BJP was in power in 13 states across the country on its own while it ruled six other states in alliance with other parties [called the NDA]. After its loss in Delhi to AAP, the BJP now rules eight states on its own, and is part of the ruling coalition in eight more, including the smaller states of the Northeast. This downward spiral for the party began with loses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in December 2018, followed by break-up with Shiv Sena in October 2019, and loss of Jharkhand in November. Its government in Haryana was also formed only when Dushyant Chautala’s JJP supported it. So after two years, a pattern has emerged. BJP wins centre, again and again, but is rapidly loosing state after state. -TIN Bureau