Modi vows ‘inclusive’ India after landslide election win

Modi rides nationalism wave, pledges ‘inclusive’ future for all Indians

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi vowed to build an inclusive India on Thursday after scoring a landslide election win that he hailed as the “biggest event in world democracy”. “Together we grow. Together we prosper. Together we will build a strong and inclusive India. India wins yet again!,” Modi declared amid nationwide celebrations by his rightwing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The 68-year-old leader, who built a formidable campaign based on his tough national security

stance, was showered with petals when he arrived flashing “V” for victory signs at the BJP headquarters where thousands of supporters waited.

US President Donald Trump sent Twitter congratulations on the “BIG” win and added: “Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm.”

Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Emmanuel Macron of France and prime ministers Shinzo Abe of Japan, Scott Morrison of Australia and Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel were among the world leaders to call Modi before the final results were even released, the foreign ministry said.

HINDU nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed an “inclusive” future for all Indians on Thursday after a landslide election victory that crushed the Gandhi dynasty’s comeback hopes once again. “Together we grow. Together we prosper. Together we will build a strong and inclusive India. India wins yet again!,” Modi tweeted as delirious supporters of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated nationwide.

“The faith placed in our alliance is humbling and gives us strength to work even harder to fulfil people’s aspirations,” he said before arriving

at BJP headquarters flashing victory signs with both hands and being showered in petals. Although final results were yet to be published, a rolling vote

count by the election commission showed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) increased its majority with 353 out of 543 elected lower house seats.

The BJP’s headquarters in Delhi erupted in celebration with drummers, firecrackers, dancing and singing as hundreds of party faithful thronged the yard and nearby streets waiting for Modi. “Modi will make India great again. Modi is the strongest prime minister India has ever had and will get. We need to support his policies to prosper,” said one supporter, Santosh Joshi.

Last count put Congress at 85 seats. At the headquarters, a handful of dejected supporters sat in groups under the shade of trees. “We are sad but we will rise again. Modi won because of his lies and false promises. The country is in danger now,” Rajesh Tiwari, a Congress supporter, said.

India’s main Sensex index breached the 40,000-point level for the first time as the count pointed to a Modi win.