New Delhi: Riding on a massive Modi wave sweeping through most parts of India, the BJP was set to return to power Thursday as it led in 292 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 51, according to trends released by the Election Commission for all 542 seats that went to polls

If the trends stay until final results, the BJP would have improved on its 2014 performance when it had won 282 seats on its own in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Adding the seats won by its allies, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could win 343 seats, up from 336 in 2014

Markets cheered the trends, as the benchmark BSE Sensex touched 40,000 for the first time and NSE Nifty breached the 12,000 level. The rupee appreciated 14 paise to 69.51 against the US dollar trade

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi — Many Congratulations for securing such a big victory for the BJP. I am thankful to the people,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted

The results are a resounding endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity, his government’s achievements in the last five years and his campaign, which centred around national security and nationalism. He also relentlessly attacked the Congress Party for what he called its dynastic legacy, and blamed it for the country’s woes. The opposition had criticised the BJP campaign as divisive and polarising

Still, the trend shows that the Modi wave has swept across geographies, caste lines, age, gender and economic status

In the politically critical state of Uttar Pradesh, where the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party combine had posed a stiff challenge, the BJP was leading in 56 of the 80 seats at stake. The SP was ahead in eight and BSP in 12. Although the BJP had won 72 seats in the last elections, the performance is much better than what many exit polls had forecast

The Congress Party was ahead only in one seat in Uttar Pradesh. Even, Congress President Rahul Gandhi was trailing BJP’s Smriti Irani in Amethi by nearly 7,000 votes but was clearly ahead in Wyanad in Kerala

The Modi wave not only swept through the Hindi heartland and Gujarat, as was expected, but also rippled through West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Only Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh appeared untouched. Even in Telangana, where it was expected to fare poorly, the BJP was ahead in four seats, the same as the Telangana Rashtra Samiti

“The people on the ground are not buying the narrative of the opposition that people are under threat. People are doing well that they are looking forward to the next government of Narendra Modi. We have to realise that Modi’s government inherited very weak economy and he done very phenomenal job (in the last five year),” BJP spokesman Amit Malviya said.

Agencies

Mohammad Akbar Lone of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference won Baramulla constituency of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in Indian general elections 2019.

Currently, Mr. Lone attained 124452 votes and is leading by 25 thousand votes, followed by Raja Aijaz Ali of JK Peoples’ Conference. Independent candidate, Er. Rasheed is trailing on third position.

As per latest reports, Mr. Lone got 28.7% votes in his constituency. 

Known for his outspoken nature, Mr. Lone was a cabinet minister in the Omar Abdullah’s state government and had portfolio of higher education. 

NC swept all three constituencies in J-K, while BJP rules Jammu and Udhampur.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and former IAS officer-turned-politician Shah Faesal on Thursday congratulated the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the landslide win in Lok Sabha polls.

“Congratulations to Narendra Modi ji for a historic mandate. Today surely belongs to BJP and its allies. Time for Congress to get an Amit Shah,” Mehbooba said in a tweet.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to form the next government at the Center as it on its own crossed the winning margin while National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has crossed 320 mark.

JKPM president Shah Faesal, who also congratulated the prime minister, said that he needs to reach out to the people of Kashmir.

“Congratulations to @narendramodi @BJP4India for the landslide win. The mandate must be respected. We in J&K are hopeful that tempers will be allowed to calm down. In this second term, @narendramodi can make history by reaching out to the people of J&K. Kashmir has to heal,” Faesal said in a tweet.