evidence: While the BJP has made noticeable inroads in southern India – especially Kerala, where it won its first-ever Lok Sabha seat – its overall numbers were hit by major losses in the central Hindi-speaking states, which it had comfortably won in the last election. [...] The BJP also suffered losses in Maharashtra, India’s second-most politically critical state. With most votes counted, the INDIA alliance won 30 of the state’s 48 seats. Only Uttar Pradesh has more seats – 80. In 2019, the BJP alone had won 23 seats in Maharashtra, with its allies winning another 18.