India election: Modi claims victory but may fall short of outright majority | BBC News

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won a third consecutive term in a much tighter general election than anticipated.

His Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may fall short of a majority, despite confident claims that it was heading for a clearcut victory.

The results are a personal blow to Mr Modi, who has always secured majorities in elections as both chief minister of Gujarat state and India’s prime minister and has dominated the country's politics for a decade.

The verdict marks a surprising revival for the Congress Party-led INDIA opposition alliance, defying earlier predictions of its decline.

More than 640 million people voted in a marathon seven-week election, hailed as a "world record" by election authorities.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Yogita Limaye in Delhi.

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[arunbanotra]

Now democracy is alive and evm is not hacked 😂😂

[anandms]

It was a lesson for bjp not to take lightly on voters, specially salarised and general class people.

[kpnaidu]

BJP ALONE 240 SEATS...
ALL OPPOSITE 232...

[devilsondavid]

All opposition stood together against one person and still that man emerges victorious.

[harir]

All opposition together 232..bjp alone 240... 😂

[mharshavardhan]

This election result is a clear example of how strong the Indin democracy is and how clever, decisive are the Indian voters.This result will be an indictment to all the western media who have questioned the electoral process of India

[vietnamesebeauties]

Congratulations to India 🇮🇳 for the peaceful & successful voting election! Hope one day my country Vietnam 🇻🇳 can choose & vote our leaders too...

[christianoronaldo]

United peaceful community vs divided Hindus !

[MangalSinghDhami]

There is no issues in EVM in this election. 😂

[ravikollam]

Atleast the voting machines can get a releaf now

[itsjosedahiya]

We all know about the status of India now at global level and it's all because of Modi . No country was even paying respect when this congress was in majority and Modi was the mastermind behind all the strikes . Ya BJP has faults
BJP MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST PARTY BUT IT IS THE BETTER ONE FOR SURE
and who else deserves the post of prime minister except Modi ? THINK ABOUT IT ...

[rakeshrahaman]

I'm not shocked about bjp's win but I'm shocked to know that a major part of India's people actually wants to see the country to be Doomed completely.

[BK-lymv]

Actually bjp lost their majority.It was 305 seat in parliament in 2019 now they got only 240 numbe r

[neo]

Democracy in India alive enough now ?? 😂

[Adivergentmind]

The opposition still scored 232 compared to Modi's 240 even though Modi had frozen the oppositions bank accounts and arrested their leaders. You will realise that this is actually a loss for Modi considering the number of people who voted against him from last election.

[ruffdaddyz]

The funny thing is the losing Party Congress and its allies who’s combined total is less than of the BJP are celebrating their “loss “ but the winning party BJP is depressed this time they aimed higher and failed to attain it . Basically Congress is happy that they lost better this time 😂 …it’s so weird. While the Western media is happy that BJPis now low on morale, nevertheless the West will not be getting a docile govt in INDIA .

[Yoyoyo]

Despite Modi literally banning any opposition view on official media
He has had a big political slap
It restores faith

[atul]

they talk about BJP alone but congress with its alliance ...🤣

[Ifclause]

*BEFORE ELECTION'S
Godi media/IT cell: We didn't need a coalition government, it will harm Indian economy 🗿😤
*AFTER ELECTION'S
: "New reports are coming that nitish kumar will be depty. Prime Minister 🤡"

[prasadkulkarni]

Western medias must stop crying about Indian democracy. Indian voters are very intelligent and they don't want teaching from western propoganda.