HOW THE NORTHEAST WAS WON: Himanta Biswa Sarma is the man of the moment for the BJP. The ex-Congressman's man-management skills were key in the party's sweep of the hill states.

The article focuses on the role of Himanta Biswa Sarma, Finance Minister of Assam, India, in ensuring electoral victories for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Northeastern parts of India. Topics discussed include Sarma's man-management skills credited for his success in forming coalitions with other parties, the significance of BJP's alliance with the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) party and the Christian-dominated states where BJP is finding it hard to get traction.