Indian electorate dismisses Modi's aspiration for a one-party dominion, favoring a competitive democratic system.
Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist alliance was believed to be on the verge of achieving a supermajority, allowing them to enact major changes without hindrance. However, as seen with Donald Trump's victory in 2016 and Brexit, polls and experts can sometimes be wrong.
Modi aimed for 400 seats in the Indian parliament's lower house, but it soon became apparent that the Bharatiya Janata Party would fail to even achieve a simple majority. Instead, they would need their long-time local coalition partners to maintain power.
This outcome was hailed as a victory for pluralism in the world's largest democracy, as voters slightly rejected Modi's vision for a nation dominated by Hindus. The BJP's share of the votes went down by 63 seats, resulting in a total of 240 - far less than the 272 seats required for a majority in parliament.
The opposition parties gained 235 seats, while the coalition partners won an additional 52 seats.
Tuesday's outcome was a setback for a leader who declared himself sent by God and had unwavering support from enthusiastic followers. Modi's failure to secure an absolute majority "bursts the bubble of his authority," according to political scientist Pratap Bhanu Mehta.
Modi is now the first leader since Jawaharlal Nehru to serve three five-year terms, making him one of India's most successful politicians in recent history. In his decade-long tenure, Modi has earned significant popularity for his development and welfare policies, as well as his strong stance on Hindu nationalism in a nation where roughly 80% of the population follow the faith.
As a result of this victory, India has become the world's fastest-growing major economy and a major force in technology and space. Despite these achievements, India's sizeable population still struggles with poverty and youth unemployment, especially in rural areas, and the wealth gap has broadened.
Modi aspires to turn India into a developed nation by 2047 and dreams of transforming the constitutionally secular country into a predominantly Hindu nation. Recently, he unveiled a grand temple at the site of a desecrated mosque, which led to concerns about religious domination.
However, with a more evenly split parliament, Modi may need to scale back his ambitions to avoid potential resistance. Political analyst Arathi Jerath pointed out that he will have to be cautious in pushing his agenda for a Hindu-first nation.
The BJP is accused of using state agencies to silence critics. Under Modi's leadership, India's previously lively media has been restrained. In the run-up to the election, opposition leaders and parties experienced several legal and financial setbacks.
The arrest of Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal in March caused protests and criticism, sparking allegations of a political conspiracy. Kejriwal's release on interim bail in April rallied the opposition against the BJP, uniting forces that were previously at odds due to ideological differences.
Criticism also mounts against the BJP for promoting religious division, with many claiming they have demonized Islam and marginalized the country's more than 200 million Muslims, leading to recurring episodes of religious violence.
During the campaign, Modi faced accusations of inciting hatred with his Islamophobic messaging. In response, he claimed that Muslims, who have been part of India for centuries, were "infiltrators."
The election results appear to indicate that many Indians rejected this divisive stance.
Mehta, the political scientist, believes that India was "headed towards unchecked rule by the BJP," which threatened to quash opposition and control civil society. However, Tuesday's outcome restored a competitive political landscape.
Sanjay Singh, a member of the Aam Aadmi Party tied to the opposition, stated that the public wanted change because they were exhausted from the BJP's 10 years in power. He attributed the results to a rejection of "hatred and dictatorship."
On Tuesday night, as it became apparent that the BJP had suffered unexpected setbacks, Modi appeared on stage outside the party's headquarters. He was showered in rose petals, sported a massive garland, and spoke as the crowd chanted his name - "Modi! Modi! Modi!" Even though the NDA was indeed set to form the government again, this election served as a wake-up call to the beloved leader who had, in the eyes of some, overstepped boundaries in a thriving democracy. Neelanjan Sircar, a distinguished fellow at the Center for Policy Research, expressed this sentiment, stating, "This is in a way a wakeup call to a leader who is still very popular. However, he may have crossed lines in what is meant to be a vibrant democracy."
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The BJP's performance in the election received international attention, with analysts discussing its implications for India's role in the global arena. Despite facing criticism for his divisive rhetoric, Modi still garnered support from a significant portion of the Indian electorate, indicating the country's complex political landscape.
With a more balanced parliament, India's international relations may witness a shift in approach due to the need for consensus-building within the government. The global community will closely monitor how Modi navigates his ambitions in light of the election results.
