Modi secures another term despite gaining a reduced majority

Narendra Modi has won a third term as Prime Minister of India despite his party failing to secure the majority they were hoping for.

Mr Modi’s BJP-led alliance is leading in more than 290 of 543 seats which is short of their target of 400 seats. Many Exit polls had the BJP led alliance winning a two thirds majority which would have allowed it to make changes to the constitution.

Despite this Mr Modi took to twitter to remark on how historic this victory is saying: “I bow to the people for this affection and assure them that we will continue the good work done in the last decade to keep fulfilling the aspirations of people.”

The opposition Congress party and other allied parties are expected to win over 230 seats which exceed expectations. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said Mr Modi and the BJP have been punished by voters at the ballot box.

Mr Modi had set a target of 370 seats for the BJP & 400 seats for his alliance which would be up from 303 seats the BJP won in the last election. This is a setback for the party and means Modi will have to rely on smaller parties in the NDA to push his agenda through.

Analysts have said that several factors including joblessness, a controversial army recruitment drive and an aggressive and divisive campaign contributed to the failure to capture a majority.

There has been speculation that Mr Gandhi might try to form a government but two key NDA parties have already pledged their support for the Prime Minister

Mr Modi has managed to retain his seat in Varanasi.

The election was seen by many as referendum on Modi’s time in office as over the last decade he has transformed many aspects of life in India so this would be considered a major upset.

Official figures showed an average of 66% of voters taking part in what was considered the biggest country. Voting staggered over seven rounds between the 19th of April and the 1st of June for Security and logistical reasons.

Much of the election took place in extreme and deadly heat as temperatures in some areas of India soared to nearly 50 degrees.