New Delhi, India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition appears to be leading in the majority of seats in India’s general election, according to partial figures released on Tuesday. Despite facing a stronger challenge from the opposition than expected due to criticism of his economic policies and divisive politics, Modi is still expected to secure a third five-year term in the world’s largest democratic exercise. However, his Hindu nationalist party is unlikely to secure a majority on its own, a surprising turn for the 73-year-old leader who has always governed with a majority.
The ongoing count of more than 640 million votes cast over six weeks was expected to take the entire day, with the early figures subject to change. Modi’s tenure of 10 years in power has been marked by a transformation of India’s political landscape, bringing Hindu nationalism from the fringes into the mainstream. While his supporters view him as a self-made strong leader who has elevated India’s global reputation, critics argue that his Hindu-first politics have fueled intolerance and exacerbated economic inequality.
As the counting continued, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party was leading in 196 constituencies and had secured 45 seats, including one uncontested, out of 543 parliamentary seats. Meanwhile, the main opposition Congress party was ahead in 83 constituencies and had won 15. A total of 272 seats are required for a majority.
Exit polling had initially projected the NDA to win over 350 seats, but as the actual results unfolded, Indian markets reacted with a sharp downturn. Benchmark stock indices, the NIFTY 50 and the BSE Sensex, both dropped by more than 5%. Voters like Payal from Lucknow expressed concerns about the economy and the significant number of people living in poverty, highlighting the urgency for change.
Modi’s popularity has overshadowed that of his party, turning the parliamentary election into a presidential-style campaign revolving around his leadership. Critics argue that under Modi’s administration, democracy in India has faced challenges, with allegations of strong-arm tactics against political opponents and restrictions on dissent. Economic discontent has also simmered, with only a small portion of Indians benefiting from the country’s economic boom.
In his bid for re-election, Modi initially focused his campaign on promises of economic development and poverty reduction. However, as the campaign progressed, his rhetoric became increasingly polarizing, targeting Muslims to energize his core Hindu majority voter base. The opposition INDIA alliance countered by highlighting issues of joblessness, inflation, and inequality.
As the results unfolded, individuals like 52-year-old Mangesh Mahadeshwar in Mumbai found themselves surprised by the election outcome, with the BJP not securing as many seats as initially anticipated. The final results of the election remain to be seen as the counting process continues, shaping the future of India’s leadership and political landscape.