NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared victory on Tuesday, though it wasn't the decisive win he had anticipated as his party lost ground to a stronger-than-expected opposition.
Nevertheless, Modi emphasized that Indian voters had “shown immense faith” in both his party and the National Democratic Alliance coalition as he secured an uncommon third term as leader of the world’s most populous country following a contentious decade in power.
“This is a victory for the world’s biggest democracy,” Modi proclaimed to the crowd at his party’s headquarters.
Early election results indicated that his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and allied parties secured nearly 300 of the 543 seats in Parliament, granting them a simple majority.
However, for the first time since the BJP's rise to power in 2014, it failed to secure a majority independently, winning only 240 seats. The opposition performed better than expected, with exit polls having suggested that Modi’s alliance was heading towards an overwhelming victory.
This outcome means Modi, whose influence over India has grown steadily since he took power in 2014, must now rely on coalition-building to maintain his position.
Complicating matters, Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Indian National Congress, has hinted at the possibility of forming a coalition with two parties currently allied with the BJP, which were previously Congress partners.
The election results defied Modi's expectations. He commands a vast base of supporters both within India and among the extensive Indian diaspora, who credit him with India's booming economy and increased global stature. According to Morning Consult, Modi is the world’s most popular leader, boasting an approval rating of 74%.
Yet, critics argue that Modi has undermined human rights and fueled religious tensions, particularly against India’s Muslim minority.
During the campaign, Modi and other BJP candidates were accused of delivering hate speech and engaging in inflammatory rhetoric.
Additionally, India continues to struggle with providing enough jobs for its 1.4 billion citizens, despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
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