Indian election: Big changes ahead as BJP wins big

With a population of 1.2 billion, 814 million of whom are eligible to vote, India needs six weeks to carry out a general election. Let's find out what happened.

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India's next prime miinster and leader of the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Narendra Modi bows to the crowd during a public rally India's triumphant Hindu nationalists declared "a new era" in the world's biggest democracy Friday after hardline leader Narendra Modi propelled them to the biggest win in 30 years on promises to revitalise the economy. AFP PHOTO/INDRANIL MUKHERJEE

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Modi eyes 'India's century' after landslide victory

NEW DELHI, AFP — Triumphant Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi pledged to make it "India's century" as he propelled his right-wing party to a stunning electoral triumph Friday with the biggest winning margin for 30 years.

Final results at the end of the six-week election showed his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had secured the first parliamentary majority by a single party since 1984 on a platform of economic growth and clean government.

Most of the poverty-wracked country's 1.2 billion people – more than half of whom are under 25 – have never witnessed such dominance having grown up in an era of fractious coalition politics.

Modi promised to work for all Indians and particularly the young as he fed building expectations of new jobs and development.

"I want to make the 21st century India's century. It will take 10 years, not very long," said the four-term chief minister of western Gujarat who is expected to be sworn in as prime minister next week.

AFP PHOTO/INDRANIL MUKHERJEE

BJP supporters celebrate their victory. AFP PHOTO/ SAJJAD HUSSAIN

Speaking to cheering supporters who chanted his name and let off fireworks, he also made clear efforts to sound inclusive amid deep suspicions among religious minorities, particularly Muslims.

The results exceeded all forecasts. Petals were showered outside BJP offices around the country, sweets were handed out to celebrate and painted elephants paraded in front of party headquarters in New Delhi.

Modi, 63, will face pressure to deliver a quick improvement in the economy, growing at its slowest rate in a decade, amid anxiety about the BJP's Hindu nationalist agenda which could stir religious tensions.

Official figures from the Election Commission showed the BJP had secured 275 seats and was projected to win another seven, with victories by its allies taking it easily in excess of 330.

The Congress party, the national secular force that has run India for all but 13 years since independence, was set to crash to its worst ever result with 44 seats, less than a quarter of its tally in 2009.

The disastrous showing is a severe blow to the Gandhi dynasty which runs Congress, particularly for 43-year-old scion Rahul, whose first performance as chief national campaigner will lead to acrimonious fallout.

India's Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi (L) looks on as party Vice President Rahul Gandhi speaks during a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi. They admitted personal responsibility for the disastrous election results which came after 10 years in power. AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN

Smiling despite the grim news, Rahul admitted in brief remarks that Congress had "done pretty badly".

Modi, The strict vegetarian, elected three times as chief minister in his home state, was boycotted by the US and Europe over 2002 riots in Gujarat that left around 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, dead.

He was accused of turning a blind eye to the bloodshed shortly after he came to power, but he has always denied the allegations. Investigators have never found evidence of wrongdoing.

US President Barack Obama on Friday telephoned Modi and called for a "strong partnership", an aide said, while the White House said a former visa ban targeting him would be overturned.

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