Incoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed a “landmark” election victory by his BJP party.
Thanking supporters in his own constituency in his home state of Gujarat, Mr Modi said they had written a new chapter in the country’s history.
Votes counted so far suggest the BJP is on course for the most resounding victory by any party for 30 years, trouncing the outgoing Congress Party.
The controversial leader campaigned on promises to revive the economy.
However, many Indians still have profound concerns over Mr Modi because of claims he did little to stop communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 when he was first minister in the state.
At least 1,000 people died, most of them Muslims.
Mr Modi has always denied the allegations over he was never charged.
‘Real government’
“India has won, good days are about to come,” Mr Modi tweeted as it became clear that the BJP had triumphed.
The tweet became the most retweeted in India’s history.
The prime minister-elect told his supporters the victory was no ordinary one.
“In the 60-year history of Indian independence, I have never seen this in the Indian media, what you have done in our country,” Mr Modi said, as supporters shouted “Modi, Modi, Modi”.
He said he would rule for all Indians.
“Real government doesn’t belong to a community. It belongs to the entire country,” he said.
“The real government will belong from Kashmir on top to Kanya Kumari [on India’s southern tip] – that is a real government.”
Several world leaders have congratulated Mr Modi on his victory, including UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Mr Modi accepted an invitation to visit the UK, Downing Street said. The UK government froze ties with him between 2002 and 2012 over the Gujarat riots.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif commended the BJP’s “impressive victory” in the election.
Without mentioning Mr Modi, the US National Security Council tweeted: “US congratulates BJP on its victory in India’s historic election; we look forward to working w/ govt once formed to advance our partnership.”
The election result will be a crushing blow to the Congress party, which is led by the Nehru-Gandhi family and has dominated Indian politics since independence.
It reflects voter anger with Congress, which has been mired in serious corruption scandals and whose leadership has been considered ineffective in recent years, analysts say.
Accepting defeat, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said: “We humbly respect the verdict of the people.”
Share prices rallied to new highs on BJP promises of economic revival.
Latest election results showed the BJP is on course to win 282 seats, surpassing the 272 seats needed to secure a majority in the lower house of parliament.
With their allies, the party could achieve more than 330 seats.
The Congress party – which has been in power for the past decade – is expected to win in fewer than 50 seats.
More than 500 million people voted in what is the world’s biggest exercise in democracy.
Voter turnout in the mammoth nine-phase general election was a record 66.38%, beating the previous 1984 poll record.
India election
- World’s biggest exercise in electoral democracy; 814 million eligible voters
- A total of 8,251 candidates stood for election
- It started five weeks ago and a total of 551 million votes were cast, with a record 66.38% turnout
- The party or alliance that wins a majority in the 543-seat parliament forms the government
Source: BBC