Modi Claims 3rd Term in India, but His Party Suffers Losses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party won a third term in India’s general election, but it suffered its worst-ever losses in the vote, according to preliminary results.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 272 seats in the 543-seat lower house of parliament, according to the Election Commission, which released the results in stages on Thursday. The BJP needed 272 seats to form a majority government.

The Congress party, the main opposition, won 50 seats, according to the commission.

The BJP’s tally was down from 303 seats in the 2014 election, and the Congress party’s tally was up from 44 seats in the 2014 election.

The election was held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19.

The BJP’s loss of seats was due in part to a strong performance by regional parties, which won a combined 143 seats, according to the commission.

The election was seen as a referendum on Modi’s leadership and his party’s policies, which have been criticized for being divisive and favoring the wealthy.

Modi, 68, has been prime minister since 2014. He is a charismatic leader who has been credited with modernizing India’s economy and improving its international standing. But he has also been criticized for his handling of the economy, his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and his government’s treatment of Muslims and other minorities.

The election was also marked by violence and allegations of voter intimidation.

The BJP’s loss of seats is a setback for Modi, but it is not clear whether it will be enough to force him to step down. He is expected to continue as prime minister until a new government is formed.

The election results are preliminary and subject to change as the commission releases more results. The final results are expected to be announced on May 23.