The world's largest election is now over and just hours
into the massive vote count, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
followers were already partying.
Supporters are celebrating here at the headquarters of the BJP
and it does look like Narendra Modi will govern for
another term.
But it does not seem that he has won the
landslide victory he predicted, which suggests he'll govern the weaker
electoral mandate.
At a rally in the capitol, Modi declared victory even
though for the first time in a decade his party
failed to win a majority of seats in Parliament.
Modi will have to form a coalition government if he
is to continue to rule.
The opposition say they've hurt the powerful Prime Minister.
The country has unanimously and clearly stated we do not
want Mr.
Narendra Modi and Mr.
Amit Shah to be involved in the running of this
country.
We do not like the way they have run this
country.
We do not appreciate the way they have attacked the
Constitution.
Modi's opponents accuse the Prime Minister of limiting freedom of
speech and press with crackdowns on political rivals.
Modi and his party have also targeted India's Muslim minority
with Islamophobic rhetoric.
Do you think your hard earned money should be given
to infiltrators?
Modi's brand of Hindu nationalism may have reached its limit.
His party's candidate lost in Ayodhya, the town where he
inaugurated a controversial new Hindu temple on the site of
a demolished mosque.
Modi's still seen by many as the business friendly steward
of the world's fifth largest economy.
Indian stock markets plunged more than 5% on Tuesday upon
news of Modi's lackluster election results the weekend.
Modi is still the most powerful and polarizing politician India
has seen in generations.