India election: Modi claims victory but his BJP needs coalition to stay in power, as opposition makes gains
- The ruling BJP lost ground in the key states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra amid a strong opposition challenge, official results show
- Analysts say the election results underscore the importance of better job opportunities and inclusive growth over nationalism and divisive issues
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India’s Modi claims Indian elections victory, but his party needs coalition to retain power
With vote-counting still not completed, Modi late on Tuesday night hailed “a historical feat in India’s history”, thanking voters who had “placed their faith” in him for an unprecedented third term.
“This is a win for India. This is for everybody’s development, this is a victory for 1.4 billion people,” Modi told BJP workers late on Tuesday evening in New Delhi. “Since 1962, no government has returned for a third term after completing two terms.”
“Our government took major decisions and withstood the Covid crisis. And today India is the fastest growing major economy. We will end poverty in this country,” he said.
The BJP won 240 seats in the 543-member lower house of parliament, a far cry from the 2019 elections when the party secured 303 seats on its own.
The party suffered a surprising setback in its traditional stronghold across the country’s north, but it will still be able to muster the numbers needed to cross the majority mark, after bagging 294 seats with the help of allied regional parties under a National Democratic Alliance.
The NDA includes Chandrababu Naidu’s Telegu Desam Party and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United, who contested in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, and will be vital for the next government.