Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was projected to sweep 303 seats in parliament, giving it an even bigger majority than five years ago and defying predictions of a dip. He did win a seat in the southern state of Kerala, however, a quirk allowed under Indian election rules. On Thursday there were delirious scenes at BJP party offices across the nation of 1.3 billion people, including its headquarters where Modi was showered with petals by chanting fans. "The voting numbers in India's election is the biggest event in the history of (the) democratic world. The entire world has to recognise the democratic strength of India," Modi told cheering crowds.

Source: Bangkok Post May 24, 2019 08:48 UTC