The incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a second term after a historic win in the Indian elections of 2019. By winning over 300 seats of the 543-seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) well crossed the 272-mark required for a majority. The party has far exceeded its seat tally of the 2014 elections, in which it had won 282 seats.
The main opposition party, Indian National Congress, headed by Rahul Gandhi – the scion of the political dynasty – has conceded defeat.
This was one of the biggest elections ever with over 600 million voters voting across a six-week process. The entire process was conducted in seven phases. The voter turnout percentage was 67 per cent – the highest for any Indian election ever.
In what was seen as a defining election, Modi described himself as a ‘chowkidar’ – a watchman. And from the results, it certainly seems like Indians trusted their watchman.
A slew of congratulatory messages poured in for the Prime Minister. Leaders across the globe joined in to congratulate Modi on his fantastic victory.
Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2019
मेरे दोस्त @narendramodi आपके प्रभावशाली चुनावी जीत पर हार्दिक बधाई! ये चुनावी नतीजे एक बार फिर दुनिया के सबसे बड़े लोकतंत्र में आपके नेतृत्व को साबित करते हैं। हम साथ मिलकर भारत और इज़राइल के बीच घनिष्ट मित्रता को मजबूत करना जारी रखेंगे । बहुत बढ़िया, मेरे दोस्त 🇮🇱🤝🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/4GhwNZ1otN
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 23, 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulates PM @narendramodi on the electoral victory under his leadership pic.twitter.com/uFFlc5GHTC
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2019
Congratulations to @narendramodi on your re-election as Prime Minister of India. Let’s keep working together to improve the lives of Canadians and Indians through education & innovation, investing in trade, and fighting climate change. https://t.co/gwP3yUtQQn
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 23, 2019
Congrats to an American ally & friend PM @narendramodi, on his party’s win in India’s parliamentary election. This was a strong display of the Indian people’s commitment to democracy! We look forward to continuing to work with India for a freer, safer, & more prosperous region.
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) May 23, 2019
The largest democracy in the world has voted. I warmly congratulate Prime Minister @NarendraModi. I look forward to meeting him again soon and deepening our India-France strategic partnership. https://t.co/jxW5HlLgkt
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 23, 2019
Vladimir Putin congratulated Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on the victory of his Bharatiya Janata Party in the general election https://t.co/2KSK9SicJX
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) May 23, 2019
“Congratulations @narendramodi on your re-election as Prime Minister of #India. I look forward to the UK’s relationship with India continuing to go from strength to strength during your second term.” – PM @Theresa_May
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) May 23, 2019
Congratulations to @narendramodi for winning the legislative elections in #India. The traditional vitality and dynamism of Indian democracy is confirmed. Wishing to the Leader and friend success in his endeavors pic.twitter.com/I0kgbSBbCK
— Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT) May 23, 2019
Congratulations on your victory and the peoples re-endorsement of your leadership.
Sri Lanka looks forward to continuing the warm and constructive relationship with India in the future.@narendramodi— Maithripala Sirisena (@MaithripalaS) May 23, 2019
Congratulations to PM @narendramodi on a strong mandate from the people of India. The government and the people of Afghanistan look forward to expanding cooperation between our two democracies in pursuit of regional cooperation, peace and prosperity for all of South Asia.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) May 23, 2019
I extend warmest congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for landslide election victory in the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. I wish all success ahead. I look forward to working closely with you. #PMOIndia
— K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) May 23, 2019
I, on behalf of the people of Bhutan, offer heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi @PMOIndia and his team on the election victory. As we look forward to working closely in years to come, we pray India achieves greater success under your leadership.
— PM Bhutan (@PMBhutan) May 23, 2019
Congratulations to PM @narendramodi on his historic victory in the Indian general elections. It is a strong affirmation of the Indian people’s confidence in the BJP/led government. I look forward to closer and enhanced ties of Maldives-India cooperation.
— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) May 23, 2019
Heartiest congratulations to PM @narendramodi on the successful elections and for once again winning the trust of the people of India.
The Government of Indonesia looks forward to working with India in pursuit of our countries’ common goals and shared vision. 🇮🇩 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/WCbSGXj5Cu
— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) May 24, 2019
🇮🇳consolidating #IndiaBangladesh ties🇧🇩
H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Hon’ble Prime Minister of #Bangladesh has sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi for the victory in 17th #LokSabhaElections2019 in #India. pic.twitter.com/vHR0pG3Rst
— India in Bangladesh (@ihcdhaka) May 23, 2019
Congratulations @narendramodi on your historic re-election as Prime Minister of India. Australia and India enjoy a strong, vibrant and strategic partnership, and our India Economic Strategy will take our ties to a new level. I look forward to meeting again soon.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) May 23, 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulates PM @narendramodi on the electoral victory under his leadership pic.twitter.com/uFFlc5GHTC
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2019
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
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 23, 2019
Who is Narendra Modi?
Born on 17th September 1950, Narendra Modi has been the Prime Minister of India since 2014. Before this, he had served as the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and is known to drive the massive progress of Gujarat during his tenure as the Chief Minister.
Post this win in 2019, Modi has become the first ever Prime Minister of India outside the Indian National Congress to win two consecutive terms with full majority.