Bypolls: Rejecting Hate?

While it may be too early to analyse the reasons for the electoral setback for the BJP, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the instant verdict, on at least Twitter, was that it was a resounding rejection of the Yogi Adityanath and Sakshi Maharaj brand of rabble-rousing and communally polarising campaigning (from Love Jehad to blaming Madrasas for terrorism). Significantly, in UP the absence of BSP ensured that the anti-BJP vote was not divided.

Lok Sabha
Samajwadi Party retains Mainpuri
BJP wins Vadodara
TRS gets Medak

Assembly
Andhra Pradesh: TDP-1
Tripura: CPM-1
Sikkim: Ind-1
Uttar Pradesh (11 seats): SP-8, BJP-3
Gujarat (9 seats): BJP-6, Cong-3
Rajasthan (4 seats): Cong-3 BJP-1
West Bengal (2 seats): TMC-1, BJP-1
Assam (3 seats): Cong-1, BJP-1, AIUDF-1