Indian PM Modi claims victory even as voters deal him a surprise setback

 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared victory on Tuesday, securing a rare third term for his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. However, the election results were not the landslide Modi had predicted, with the opposition performing better than expected.

Modi's BJP and its coalition partners appeared to have secured nearly 300 of the 543 seats in Parliament, granting them a simple majority. However, the BJP alone did not achieve a majority, winning only 240 seats. This unexpected outcome leaves Modi reliant on coalition partners to remain in power. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress has hinted at forming a coalition with parties currently allied with the BJP.

Despite the setback, Modi proclaimed that the voters had demonstrated "immense faith" in his leadership and the National Democratic Alliance coalition. Speaking at the BJP headquarters, he emphasized the victory as a triumph for India's democracy.

While Modi remains highly popular, with an approval rating of 74% according to Morning Consult, his tenure has been controversial. Critics accuse him of eroding human rights and stoking religious tensions, particularly against India's Muslim minority. During the campaign, Modi and BJP candidates faced accusations of hate speech.

India's economic challenges also played a significant role in the election. Despite being the world's fastest-growing major economy, the country struggles to provide enough jobs for its 1.4 billion people. This issue resonated strongly with young voters, who make up a large portion of the unemployed population.

The election, spanning over six weeks with nearly a billion registered voters, faced additional challenges due to extreme heat, which may have affected voter turnout. Climate change, a growing concern in the region, was notably absent from the campaign discussions of both major parties.

The results also highlighted a shift in the political landscape. Modi's BJP, which had secured only four seats in 1984, has grown to dominate Indian politics. However, its failure to secure an outright majority reflects a more competitive political environment.

Internationally, Modi's leadership poses a complex situation for the United States. While India is seen as a crucial counterbalance to China, Modi's human rights record complicates the relationship. Despite these challenges, experts predict that the strategic partnership between the U.S. and India will continue to strengthen, driven by shared concerns over China's influence

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