In a show of international goodwill, US President Joe Biden extended his congratulations to Bharatiya Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for their victory in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
President Biden praised the nearly 650 million voters who participated in what he described as a “historic election.” Biden’s message underscored the growing friendship between the United States and India as they work towards a shared future of unlimited potential.
Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance on their victory, and the nearly 650 million voters in this historic election.
The friendship between our nations is only growing as we unlock a shared future of unlimited potential.
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 5, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin also joined in congratulating Prime Minister Modi on his party’s success in the elections. The Kremlin announced Putin’s warm congratulations to Modi during a telephone call, emphasizing the success of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the parliamentary elections.
Following the election results, Prime Minister Modi was formally named by the NDA to lead a new coalition government for a third consecutive term. Despite the BJP falling short of a majority, securing 240 seats on its own in the 543-member lower house of parliament, the NDA as a whole clinched 293 seats, surpassing the 272 required to form a government.
In accordance with protocol, Prime Minister Modi submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, following the recommendation of the cabinet to dissolve parliament. This step was necessary before the formation of a new government. Subsequently, a meeting of 15 parties within the NDA convened at Modi’s residence, where he was formally named as their leader.
The election results saw Modi’s BJP facing a formidable challenge from the opposition INDIA alliance, led by Rahul Gandhi’s Congress party. Despite Congress’s significant gains, with a tally of 99 seats, nearly doubling its count from 2019, the NDA emerged victorious.
The BJP’s reliance on regional allies to secure a majority may pose challenges to Modi’s reform agenda in the upcoming term.
Modi’s dominant presence in Indian politics since 2014 underscores his leadership, but the need for coalition building highlights the diverse landscape of Bharatiya democracy. As Modi prepares to lead a government dependent on regional support, the eyes of the nation remain on the promises and challenges ahead in shaping Bharat’s future.
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