Modi claims victory in Indian election, vows to continue with his agenda despite drop in support

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world’s largest democratic exercise. In the face of the surprising drop in the BJP's support, the opposition claimed they had also won a victory of sorts, with the main opposition Congress party saying the election had been a “moral and political loss" for Modi. “This is public’s victory and a win for democracy," Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters.

Despite the setback, Modi pledged to make good on his election promise to turn India’s economy, the world’s third biggest, from its current fifth place, and not shirk with pushing forward with his agenda. He said he would advance India’s defense production, boost jobs for youth, raise exports and help farmers, among other things. “This country will see a new chapter of big decisions.

This is Modi’s guarantee," he said, speaking in the third person. Many of the Hindu nationalist policies he’s instituted over the last 10 years will also remain locked in place. Before Modi came to power, India had coalition governments for 30 years.

After winning a record 303 seats in 2019, the BJP appeared unlikely to win more than 240, far short of the 272 needed to form a majority government on its own, with 224 seats won and the lead in 16 constituencies and counting ongoing. Modi’s NDA coalition, meantime, was on track to win a combined 286-seat majority, with 263 seats won and leads in 23 races. The opposition INDIA coalition appeared as if it would win 230 seats.