India state polls test Modi popularity

Withdrawal of two largest currency notes has caused months of chaos

Nearly three years ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a sweeping national election victory with promises to develop the economy and root out corruption. But with a series of key state elections beginning on Saturday, Modi's popularity and his surprise currency decree that sparked months of financial uproar are now being tested.

India is just emerging from the fallout of a November decision that withdrew the country's two largest currency notes from circulation and caused weeks of chaos as people waited to get their money back in new bills.