Modi vows to build strong, inclusive India after poll win
Updated 09:17, 24-May-2019
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised on Thursday to build a strong and inclusive nation after winning a massive victory in the general election.
"Together we grow," he said on Twitter. "Together we prosper. Together we will build a strong and inclusive India. India wins yet again!"
While later addressing thousands of BJP supporters at the party headquarters in New Delhi, Modi said he dedicates it to his countrymen. "The people of this country contested this election. I dedicate this victory to my countrymen."
"We had sought mandate for a New India. I bow down before the 1.3 billion countrymen on this occasion. I thank the Election Commission of India and the security personnel for carrying out the entire election process peacefully."
Modi was accompanied by his party president Amit Shah, who is credited with forging strategic alliances with smaller parties across different states thereby ensuring BJP candidates' victories.
Senior BJP leaders, including Home Minister (Internal Security) Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Health Minister J.P. Nadda were also present at the victory rally.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah during a thanksgiving ceremony by BJP leaders for its allies at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, May 21, 2019. /Reuters Photo

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah during a thanksgiving ceremony by BJP leaders for its allies at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, May 21, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Official data from the Election Commission showed Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party ahead in 300 of the 542 seats up for grabs, up from the 282 it won in 2014 and more than the 272 seats needed for a majority in the lower house of parliament. That would give his party the first back-to-back majority for a single party since 1984.
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Rahul Gandhi, the president of India's opposition Congress party, said he had lost his own parliament seat in a family borough in a northern state in the biggest upset of the election on Thursday.
Gandhi said his opponent, cabinet minister Smriti Irani, had won the election in Amethi, which his family has held almost continuously for the last four decades.
Television channel CNN News18 said Gandhi, however, had won from a constituency in southern India, the second place he chose to run from in the election.
Rahul Gandhi, president of India's main opposition Congress party, shows his ink-marked finger after casting his vote at a polling station in New Delhi, India, May 12, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Rahul Gandhi, president of India's main opposition Congress party, shows his ink-marked finger after casting his vote at a polling station in New Delhi, India, May 12, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Modi will face demands to provide jobs for the tens of millions of young people coming on to the market in the next few years and to boost depressed farm incomes.
"The immediate challenges are to address employment, the issue of agricultural income and revive the banking sector," said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Care Ratings in Mumbai.
As small BJP celebrations began in some places, Indian stocks rose, with the main stock indices, the Sensex and the Nifty gaining more than 2 percent to break the 40,000 and 12,000 point marks respectively for the first time. 
"Time for transformation of India. Time for deep reform. I dream of us as a global superpower in my lifetime," tweeted India's richest banker, Uday Kotak, as he congratulated Modi. 
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Modi on the runaway election victory of his BJP.
"I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Khan tweeted.
(Cover: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he is presented with a garland by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders after the election results in New Delhi, India, May 23, 2019. /Reuters Photo)
(With inputs from agencies)
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