BJP Bengal gains may boost reforms push
New Delhi: The BJP's latest electoral surge, especially in West Bengal, could spur greater Centre-state policy alignment and aid the Union government's reforms push as the economy grapples with the fallout of the West Asia war and a below-normal monsoon forecast, economists said on Monday.The dominant National Democratic Alliance constituent at the Centre has registered its maiden victory in West Bengal, retained Assam and Puducherry (with alliance partners) and won a record three seats in Kerala. It won only one seat in Tamil Nadu, against four in 2021.Also Read: How BJP's well-oiled vote machine breached Mamata's Bengal fortressBut its win in West Bengal-which has been hit by deindustrialisation and frequent Centre-state rows-remains the most consequential for India's growth prospects, if the winds of political change lead to a raft of economic reforms, the economists said.130810506Centre-state ties switching to cordiality from confrontation could bolster the impl...