India's Hindu Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed election victory despite a lacklustre performance from his own party.
Exit polls had projected an overwhelming victory for Modi but the result has been much closer than predictions.
Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to fail to secure an overall majority of its own, figures from the election commission showed.
That means the party will be reliant on alliance partners.
India has placed its faith in the ruling coalition "for a third consecutive time", Modi wrote on social media platform X, referring to the BJP and its allies. "We will continue the good work done in the last decade to keep fulfilling the aspirations of people."
People have placed their faith in NDA, for a third consecutive time! This is a historical feat in India’s history.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2024
I bow to the Janata Janardan for this affection and assure them that we will continue the good work done in the last decade to keep fulfilling the aspirations of…
Speaking on the election he said: "Every Indian feels proud because of it.
"I will say to every voter of the country on this moment of victory, I want to to bow down and salute them," Modi added.
Modi said he wants to "give greetings" to all candidates in the election.
But despite his celebrations the main opposition Congress party was set to almost double its parliamentary seats.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said: "Voters have punished the BJP. I was confident that the people of this country would give the right response."
With nearly 99% of votes counted, the BJP's vote share was at 36.7%.
The election commission figures showed the BJP and its allies on track to win at least 291 seats out of a total of 543, enough for a parliamentary majority.
But the BJP itself had won or was leading in only 239, well down from the 303 it took five years ago, while Congress had won or was ahead in 99, up from 52.
