An alliance led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on course to win a small majority in parliament, but a strong challenge from the opposition significantly reduces his party’s numbers, reflecting his waning popularity after a decade in office.
Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, along with its allies, was headed to secure some 290 seats out of the 543 elected seats in the lower house of parliament.
In a post on X, Modi said that “people have placed their faith in NDA, for a third consecutive time! This is a historical feat in India’s history.” The NDA is the National Democratic Alliance, which is led by the BJP.
He assured people “that we will continue the good work done in the last decade to keep fulfilling the aspirations of people.” He displayed a victory sign at BJP headquarters Tuesday evening.
However, in a massive setback to the Indian leader, who has ruled the country with a decisive mandate over the past decade, the BJP was not likely to secure a clear majority on its own. The party was winning or ahead with about 240 seats — well short of the 272 seats needed for a majority — in votes counted until Tuesday evening.
That is significantly lower than the 303 it won in 2019.
An opposition alliance of about two dozen parties led by the Congress Party mounted a united challenge to the BJP and got a huge boost. The alliance, which ran on a platform of reducing wealth inequality and upholding democratic institutions, was heading for victory in around 220 seats — nearly double its present tally of 119 in parliament.
The opposition emphasized joblessness and accused Modi of undermining the secular fabric of the country, targeting his political opponents and being intolerant of dissent.
The results were also good news for the Congress Party, once India’s dominant party, which suffered crushing defeats in two previous elections. It is on course to nearly double its numbers to about 100 seats, which analysts say could revive the party.
The Congress Party called the election a win for democracy and a mandate against Modi.
“Our fight was not against a political party but a fight to save the constitution,” party leader Rahul Gandhi said.
“The country has unanimously and clearly stated that we do not want Narendra Modi and [Minister of Home Affairs] Amit Shah to be involved in running the country,” Gandhi said.
Other opposition leaders said Modi lost his credibility.
India’s stock markets dropped 5.74% as news that the elections had failed to deliver a clear mandate to the BJP, seen as a business-friendly party that planned to bring in more reforms.
Some 642 million people, making up about 66% of registered voters, cast ballots in the world’s biggest election that stretched over six weeks in searing heat.
