Global Media Reactions To Modi's Narrow Majority In 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Who Said What

The exit polls suggested that the BJP and NDA would have a cakewalk in the 2024 Lok Sabha Election, but it turned out to be nothing but. At the time of writing, the NDA has reached 295 seats.

While the BJP has a total of 243 (winning/leading) so far, its allies have helped it get past the 282-majority mark with a little help from TDP (16) and JD(U).

Photo Credit: PTI

Global Media Reactions

Various publications have covered the final result as follows:

The Guardian: Modi Set to Win Third Term but May Fall Short of Landslide Victory

In The Guardian, it was reported that "India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, looks set to win a third term in power, but early election results indicated he had not achieved the landslide victory that many had predicted." The BJP was noted to lose almost 70 seats, a significant departure from the two-thirds majority predicted by exit polls over the weekend.

The opposition alliance, known as India, was seen outperforming expectations by collectively winning 234 seats. The INDIA bloc, comprised of over 20 national and regional opposition parties, had come together for the first time to defeat Modi. Strong performances by regional parties like the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Party in Tamil Nadu were highlighted.

Washington Post: India's Early Election Results Point to Rebuke for Modi and His Party

The Washington Post described the results as an "unexpected repudiation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," noting the "tepid support for his Hindu nationalist party."

The report highlighted that this result would be a rare setback for Modi, who has consistently secured majorities in state and national elections over a 23-year political career. Analysts had expected Modi to easily overcome India's underfunded and enervated opposition parties, some of which had faced government-imposed restrictions.

The Times: Modi's Party May Need Partners to Form a Government

The Times indicated that while Modi was still likely to form the government, the BJP's poorer performance would have "political ramifications." It was stated that the BJP would need to rely more on the junior members of its multiparty alliance, some of which do not share Modi's Hindu-first agenda.

If the governing alliance did not secure a majority, the BJP would have to add new partners to form a government. As of Tuesday afternoon, the alliance was on track to achieve a narrow parliamentary majority, enough to stay in power with its existing members.

WSJ: Indian Stocks Drop After Early Election Results Point to Tighter Win for Modi

The Wall Street Journal focused on the significant drop in Indian stocks, attributing the fall to dampened expectations for business-friendly reforms. The benchmark BSE Sensex index closed 5.5% lower, marking its largest one-day percentage decline in over four years. Shares in the State Bank of India fell 14%, while Tata Steel dropped nearly 9%. The rupee weakened about 0.5% against the U.S. dollar.

FT: Narendra Modi on Course for India Election Win with Weakened Mandate

The Financial Times noted that the results indicated a return to coalition politics. It was stated that "if the numbers don't change, it's a return of alliance politics that had characterized India from 1989 to 2014."

The report added that many Indians had expected a clear Modi victory, seeing the election as a referendum on his decade in office. A victory would make Modi India's first PM to serve three consecutive terms since independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru.