Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) is all set for a historic landslide election victory.
The vote count till 4.45 pm (AEST) on Thursday showed the National Democratic Alliance (BJP and allies) leading in 335 of 543 seats, indicating a landslide verdict for the ruling party, according to NDTV.
India’s Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj was among the first to congratulate Prime Minister Modi to lead the party to victory.
Trends till 4.45 pm (AEST) on Thursday suggest BJP is leading in 335 seats of 542 seats. Source: NDTV
BJP saw a big swing in favour of them in Odisha, Karnataka, Bihar and West Bengal according to early trends.
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Live updates of 2019 Indian election results
The Bombay stock exchange (BSE) Sensex surged over 900 points to hit 40,000 mark for the first time on Thursday morning as leads showed a second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The opposition, the United Progressive Alliance (Congress and allies) was leading in just 111 seats.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi is fighting a close battle in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh against BJP’s Smriti Irani. It has been a see-saw battle since the counting began. Mr Gandhi is, however, leading in Wayanad, Kerala, the second seat is fighting from.
A political party needs 272 seats to command a majority in the 545-member lower house of the Indian parliament.
Source: INC
The final results should be clear by Thursday night.
Celebrations planned across Australia
The Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) has organised special celebrations across major cities in Australia as BJP and PM Narendra Modi looked set to win a second term.
BJP workers and supporters will gather in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane on Thursday to mark BJP's landslide victory in the 2019 general elections.
