BJP most likely retain power in 2024 LS polls: Fitch

There is likelihood of policy continuity to be maintained in India as the incumbent administration is "most likely" to retain power in the general elections due in April-May, Fitch Ratings said on Tuesday.

However, the size of the majority in the next Indian Parliament could influence the ambitiousness of the administration's reform agenda, it said.

"We believe it most likely that incumbent administrations will retain power in India (BBB-/stable) and Bangladesh (BB-/negative), during their general elections in April-May and January, respectively, pointing to the likelihood of broad policy continuity," Fitch said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government had came to power in 2014 and came back with a thumping majority in 2019 general elections as well.

The 2024 general elections are due in April-May and Fitch expects the Modi government to come back to power for the third time.

The global rating agency said almost half of its rated portfolio in the Asian region will hold legislative or presidential elections in 2024.

Fitch said it expects continuity to be the main theme of the elections among its rated Asian sovereigns due in 2024.

But the chance of election outcomes influencing credit profiles as being higher in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which are both dependent on successful IMF programme implementation and official support, as well as Taiwan, given potential geopolitical implications.