Renowned global investor and author Ruchir Sharma on Saturday spoke about the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, saying there is a recurring trend in Indian elections, especially when state polls follow within six to twelve months of the Lok Sabha (general) elections.

Talk to India Today TVSharma suggested that in these circumstances, voting trends observed in national elections often tend to repeat themselves in national elections.

“In Indian elections, a recurring pattern often emerges: when a national election is held within 6 to 12 months of the Lok Sabha polls, the same voting trends are frequently reflected in the state results,” a he declared.

When asked about the results of recent elections in Haryana and what impact they might have on Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Sharma pointed out that while momentum and popular opinion might suggest otherwise, every state election in India is distinct.

“I don’t believe in this theory of momentum. If momentum was the issue, then the BJP would never have won Haryana, because the momentum was so against it. Elections in India are inherently distinct , with the voting behavior of each state being influenced by regional issues regardless of national sentiment,” he said.

Referring to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, where the Maha Vikas Aghadi – comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Congress – won 31 out of 48 seats, Sharma suggested that this trend could persist in the upcoming Assembly polls, saying his view was based on historical patterns rather than recent observations on the ground.

Sharma then turned his attention to the Haryana elections, which he described as “perhaps the most bizarre electoral result I have ever seen in India.” He explained that virtually no one, from journalists to party members, predicted the actual outcome. “No journalist who came back from Haryana said, Hey, something different might happen,” he noted, adding that even BJP insiders had no indication of an unexpected change.

Polling for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly will be held in a single phase on November 20, while Jharkhand will vote to elect its 81 members in two phases on November 13 and 20. on November 23.