Why Modi's Hindu nationalism is a harder sell in India's south

India is in the fifth phase of voting in an election that continues until June 4. Although the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, in power since 2014, is expected to win a third straight term, an alliance of 27 opposition parties wants to chip away at its majority in regions where the party has failed to gain a foothold: namely, the south.

Why Modi's Hindu nationalism is a harder sell in India's south
A woman shows off her inked finger. She holds a voting ballot in her right hand.

India is in the fifth phase of voting in an election that continues until June 4. Although the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, in power since 2014, is expected to win a third straight term, an alliance of 27 opposition parties wants to chip away at its majority in regions where the party has failed to gain a foothold: namely, the south.