In India, the world’s largest election has concluded with a historic outcome, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party and its coalition partners have secured a majority for a remarkable third consecutive term. Despite facing formidable opposition from over two dozen coalitions, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerged victorious, setting the stage for another term in power.

The election, conducted in seven phases over six weeks, witnessed the participation of over 600 million voters across 543 parliamentary seats. Securing 272 seats or more ensures a clear majority for any party. The BJP-led NDA, having swept the polls in 2014 and 2019, is now poised to form the central government for the third time.

While the BJP achieved significant victories in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi, as well as Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Assam, the electoral contest proved to be closer than anticipated. Notably, the BJP’s coalition allies, such as the Janata Dal in Himachal Pradesh, emerged as key winners, contributing to the NDA’s overall success.

During the campaign, the BJP allied with parties like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh and the Janata Dal United (JDU) in Bihar, which will now play crucial roles in the coalition government. Prime Minister Modi personally engaged with leaders like Chandrababu Naidu of the TDP and Nitish Kumar of the JDU to solidify the alliance.

However, the BJP faced significant challenges from the opposition bloc, comprising over two dozen parties, which made substantial electoral gains compared to the 2019 polls. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra witnessed significant upsets for the ruling party, with opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party and Congress making notable gains.

In Maharashtra, the BJP encountered stiff resistance from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party. Despite the BJP’s return to power, the election results fell short of initial expectations, causing fluctuations in India’s stock market and reflecting the unexpected closeness of the race.

As Prime Minister Modi begins his historic term, navigating the challenges posed by a strengthened opposition will be crucial. Despite securing a third consecutive victory, the narrower margin of success underscores the evolving political landscape in India and the need for adept governance in the coming years.