Indian polls: Narendra Modi retains power, wins big

NEW DELHI

Heading for a landslide victory, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday thanked people for reposing faith in the ruling alliance.

The main opposition Congress conceded defeat, as its president Rahul Gandhi even lost in his traditional bastion in Uttar Pradesh province. But he won another seat in South Indian province of Kerala.

According to data issued by the India’s election commission, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was poised to win 302 seats. It has already won 42 seats and was leading in another 260 seats. Its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have also shown a spirited performance. The party had secured 282 seats in the 2014 general elections.

"Together we grow. Together we prosper. Together we will build a strong and inclusive India. India wins yet again!" a jubilant Modi tweeted.

The main opposition party Congress is only leading in 50 seats.

In a second tweet Modi credited victory to his party workers, praising their determination, perseverance & hard work. “They went home to home, elaborating on our development agenda,” he said.

Messages pour in from world leaders

Messages of congratulations were pouring in for the prime minister from world leaders. First to greet was Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, followed by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who expected that under Modi both countries will continue to strengthen the friendship.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan said he was looking forward working with Modi for peace, progress and prosperity of South Asia. “I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies,” he tweeted.
China's President Xi Jinping, Japanese PM Shinzō Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated Narendra Modi.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, expressed hope that Modi in is new innings will do justice with people in Kashmir and engage Pakistan in a dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Terror accused won election

In central Indian city of Bhopal, terror blast accused and BJP’s candidate Pragya Singh Thakur has won her maiden parliamentary election against two-time chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.

The 49-year-old Thakur was arrested in 2008 for involvement in the blasts—bombings in Muslim neighborhoods of Malegaon – a town in western Indian province of Maharashtra.

The bombing killed six people and wounded over 100. Last week she made headlines by praising Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated India’s freedom icon Mahatma Gandhi.