Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 Live Updates: EC declares results of all Lok Sabha constituencies; BJP wins 240 seats, Congress 99 - The Times of India (2024)

Congress wrested Manipur from BJP and its ally, NPF, with both Meitei-dominated valley and tribal-majority hills voting in grand old party after a year of ethnic strife that has cost over 200 lives.

While JNU professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam defeated state minister and BJP candidate Thounaojam Basantakumar in Inner Manipur, in the hills Alfred Kanngam S Arthur beat NPF’s Kachui Timothy Zimik in Outer Manipur seat.

For voters , Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state during the height of the ethnic clashes provided them the attention they had sought from New Delhi.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Keisham Meghachandra Singh, expressed gratitude to the state’s people for electing Congress candidates in both seats and dedicated the electoral success to people who have suffered in the strife and those driven from their homes by violence to relief camps.

The Congress retained the lone Lok Sabha seat in Puduch*erry with its incumbent MP Vaithilingam declared the winner at the end of the counting of votes on Tuesday. Vaithilingam defeated BJP candidate and Puduch*erry Home Minister A Namassivayam by a margin of 1,36,516 (1.36 lakh) votes.

While the Congress candidate polled 4,26,005 (4.26 lakh) votes, Namassivayam secured 2,89,489 (2.89 lakh). (PTI)

Three transgender individuals who ran as independent candidates in the Lok Sabha elections were unsuccessful in their bids, losing their security deposits in the fray. The outcome underscores the significant hurdles faced by the transgender community in securing political representation in India. To date, no transgender person has been elected to the Lok Sabha.

Sunaina Kinnar, a candidate from Dhanbad, received 3,462 votes, while Rajan Singh, who contested from South Delhi, secured 325 votes. Durga Mausi, who stood for election in Damoh (Madhya Pradesh), obtained 1,124 votes.

None of the candidates came close to winning their respective seats, and all of them failed to retain their security deposits. According to the Election Commission's regulations, "candidates failing to secure a minimum of one-sixth of the total valid votes polled would have their security deposits redirected to the treasury."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in all four Lok Sabha constituencies in Himachal Pradesh during Tuesday's elections. Rajiv Bindal, the state BJP chief, declared that the people have once again entrusted the saffron party with their mandate.

Bindal emphasized that the Congress party's loss in all seats signified a "major defeat" for Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. In a statement released in the state capital, the BJP leader asserted that Sukhu had "failed to deliver" during his 18-month tenure as the chief minister and called for his resignation on moral grounds.

The BJP leader highlighted that the party secured victories in all four Lok Sabha seats in the state, despite the Congress government's alleged misuse of power. He accused the state government of utilizing financial resources, intimidating employees, and filing false cases against BJP candidates. Nevertheless, the party managed to win all the parliamentary seats.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur secured his fifth consecutive victory from the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat. Actor Kangana Ranaut and Rajiv Bharadwaj made successful debuts in the Mandi and Kangra seats, respectively. Meanwhile, former BJP state president Suresh Kashyap retained his Shimla seat.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the ruling party in Punjab, secured victories in only three out of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state, falling short of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's ambitious goal of winning all the parliamentary constituencies. The Congress emerged as the leading party, clinching seven seats, while the Shiromani Akali Dal and Independents won one and two seats, respectively.

In response to the election results, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, through a post on 'X', stated, "Accept people's 'fatwa'... Public service and development works will continue." The AAP and its INDIA bloc ally, the Congress, contested the elections independently, providing ammunition for rival parties to criticize their separate campaigns as a mere "drama."

Despite the setback, the AAP managed to improve its performance compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where it had secured only one seat. The party's candidates emerged victorious in Sangrur (Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer), Anandpur Sahib (Malwinder Singh Kang), and Hoshiarpur (Raj Kumar Chabbewal) constituencies, while finishing second in six other seats.

Throughout the campaign, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann spearheaded the AAP's efforts, leading rallies and roadshows across Punjab, especially when party supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. The AAP fielded eight sitting Punjab MLAs, including five ministers, three candidates who had switched allegiances from other parties, and a Punjabi actor, in a bid to showcase its strongest candidates.

Mann's campaign focused on highlighting the achievements of his two-year government, such as providing 300 units of free electricity, creating 43,000 government jobs, offering free medical treatment and medicines at 'Aam Aadmi Clinics,' and establishing 'Schools of Eminence.' He also announced that his government would provide Rs 1,100 per month to women, addressing the criticism from opposition parties regarding the AAP's unfulfilled poll promise of Rs 1,000 per month.

The chief minister had urged the people to ensure the victory of AAP candidates in all 13 seats, emphasizing the need for a stronger representation in Parliament to fight for Punjab's rights and counter the BJP-led central government's alleged withholding of Rs 8,000 crore in funds meant for the state.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the AAP had won four seats with a vote share of 24.40 percent. However, its performance declined in the 2019 polls, securing only one seat and a 7.38 percent vote share. The party's resounding victory in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, where it won 92 out of 117 seats, had raised expectations for a strong showing in the Lok Sabha polls.

The INDIA alliance staged a remarkable resurgence in several politically significant Hindi heartland states on Tuesday. The Samajwadi Party, a constituent of the alliance, made substantial gains in Uttar Pradesh, while the bloc also progressed in Rajasthan, Bihar, Haryana, and Jharkhand.

Despite the INDIA alliance's strong showing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP-led alliance is poised to secure a third consecutive term in power, albeit without the overwhelming majority predicted by various exit polls. Results and trends indicate that the National Democratic Alliance is set to secure 291 Lok Sabha seats, while the INDIA alliance is expected to have a tally of 234.

The INDIA alliance's performance in Uttar Pradesh was particularly surprising, with the Samajwadi Party winning 30 seats and leading in seven more, while the Congress emerged victorious in six constituencies. The BJP won 29 seats and is leading in four, with its allies also securing a few victories. This marks a significant shift from the BJP's near-sweep of the state in the 2014 and 2019 polls.

The INDIA alliance also made notable gains in Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, and Jharkhand. However, it failed to spring any surprises in Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh, where the NDA maintained its dominance.

In Rajasthan, the BJP won 14 seats, while the Congress secured eight, with a few other parties also winning one seat each. In Bihar, the RJD and Congress made inroads, while the NDA still managed to win a majority of the seats. Haryana saw both the Congress and BJP winning three seats each and leading in two more. In Jharkhand, the Congress and JMM won one and three seats, respectively, while the BJP won six and is leading in two more.

The NDA continued its strong performance in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh. The BJP won all 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh and all four seats in Himachal Pradesh. In Delhi, it won five seats and is leading in two, while in Uttarakhand, it won three seats and is leading in the remaining two. In Chhattisgarh, the BJP won eight seats and is leading in two more, while the Congress won one seat.

Overall, the Hindi heartland states account for 225 Lok Sabha seats, and the INDIA alliance's performance in these states has been a significant development in the 2023 Lok Sabha elections.

The INDIA bloc partners in Jharkhand on Tuesday claimed that the people have effectively responded to the BJP's ambitious slogan of 'abki baar 400 paar'. On the other hand, NDA leaders asserted that the mandate was a rejection of corruption, appeasem*nt, and dynastic politics in the country.

In Jharkhand, the BJP was leading in eight Lok Sabha seats, while its ally AJSU Party was ahead in one, indicating a potential loss of at least three seats for the BJP compared to the 2019 polls, where they had won 11 seats and AJSU Party had secured one.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren expressed his respect for the mandate and stated that the people have given a fitting response to the BJP, which had claimed to win 400 seats nationwide. He also highlighted the INDIA bloc's success in winning all the reserved seats and putting up a strong fight in other constituencies.
Soren took to X to express gratitude to the people for electing 5 MPs and 1 MLA from the INDIA bloc, acknowledging their trust despite the false allegations, rumor-mongering propaganda, and conspiracies.

Rajesh Thakur, the Jharkhand Congress president, stated that they successfully convinced people about the threats to democracy and the Constitution under the Narendra Modi regime. He emphasized the significance of the BJP's inability to cross the 300-seat mark and attributed it to the people's faith in Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc.

JMM general secretary and central spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya accused the BJP of attempting to create divisions in society and differences among original inhabitants and tribal communities. He vowed to dismantle the BJP's dictatorial attitude in the upcoming 2024 assembly polls in Jharkhand.

Conversely, Jharkhand BJP leaders maintained that the people of the country support PM Modi and his vision. Amar Kumar Bauri, a senior BJP leader and the Leader of Opposition in the assembly, stated that the mandate was against corruption, appeasem*nt, and dynastic politics in the country. He argued that despite the Congress and its allies' efforts to set a wrong narrative about the Constitution being in danger, they could not prevent the BJP from forming the government at the Centre.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he prepares to assume office for an unprecedented third consecutive term, has vowed to collaborate with all states, irrespective of the ruling party, to develop India. In his inaugural speech following the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, Modi outlined his vision for the third term, emphasizing the importance of making significant decisions and prioritizing the eradication of corruption.

"The fight against corruption is becoming tougher by the day. Corruption is being shamelessly glorified for political interest. In our third term, NDA will focus a lot on rooting out corruption of all kinds," Modi said.

Rather than dwelling on the BJP's reduced numbers in Parliament, Modi's speech highlighted the party's sweeping victories in assembly elections and Lok Sabha wins in several states. He also pointed out that the Congress has been eliminated in many states, and the combined seats won by the opposition alliance were fewer than those secured by the BJP alone.

Modi's victory speech at the BJP headquarters focused heavily on his government's future plans, noting that this is the first time in six decades that a government has been elected for a third consecutive term. He assured that the Centre would work with all states, guided by the Constitution, to achieve the goal of making India a developed nation.

The prime minister thanked the people of Odisha for giving the BJP a clear mandate for the first time and expressed gratitude to his NDA allies, TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, for their electoral successes in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. He also acknowledged the emotional significance of this being the first election since his mother's passing in 2022, and thanked the women of the country for their record-breaking turnout and blessings.

Modi emphasized his government's commitment to a women-centric development model, creating opportunities for the youth, and increasing investment in the green economy. He highlighted India's role in addressing global issues and becoming a part of global solutions, stating that "A strong India will be a strong pillar of a strong world."

The prime minister assured the nation that if they work together, India will write a new chapter of significant decisions, and he pledged to work tirelessly to develop all regions and sections of society. Over the past decade, the country has made numerous major decisions, such as implementing the world's largest welfare scheme, providing piped water to 12 crore people, constructing four crore houses for the poor, and introducing substantial reforms across various sectors.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attributed the NDA's loss in the Lok Sabha seats in Nagaland and Meghalaya to the efforts of leaders from a specific religion who actively campaigned against the ruling alliance.

Despite Assam having a significant Muslim population of 40 per cent, Sarma highlighted that the BJP-led NDA managed to secure 11 out of the 14 seats in the state, considering it an accomplishment.

"Leaders of a particular religion openly worked against BJP and NDA in Nagaland and Meghalaya, and that religion has tremendous followers. That made the difference," Sarma stated while addressing reporters at the BJP state headquarters.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the loss of seats in Nagaland and Meghalaya was not a political defeat, noting that leaders of the aforementioned religion typically refrain from political interference. However, he claimed that they actively opposed the NDA this time, even in Assam.

"I am happy that with 40 per cent Muslim votes, I could give 11 seats to the party," Sarma expressed his satisfaction with the NDA's performance in Assam, given the state's demographic composition.

Kangana Ranaut, the BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha seat, has emerged victorious against her Congress rival, Vikramaditya Singh, by a margin of 74,755 votes. Ranaut secured 5,37,002 votes, while Singh, the incumbent state Public Works Minister and son of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh, received 4,62,267 votes.

The actor credited her success to the victory of the common man and the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Throughout her campaign, Ranaut, who referred to herself as Mandi's daughter, advocated for "Hindutva" and praised "Modi's magic". This marks the first instance of a Bollywood actress contesting elections in Himachal Pradesh.

The Mandi Lok Sabha seat, which has 13,77,173 voters, witnessed a voter turnout of 73.15 per cent. Both Ranaut and Singh had declared assets exceeding Rs 90 crore. During the campaign, PM Modi had praised Ranaut as a representative of the aspirations of the youth and "our daughters", while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had compared her to historical figures like Meera Bai, Maharani Padmini, and Rani Lakshmi Bai.

Ranaut's campaign promises included reviving stalled projects, enhancing connectivity to remote tribal areas, and promoting rural tourism. The Mandi constituency, the second-largest in the country by area, encompasses six districts and 17 assembly segments, with five reserved for Scheduled Castes and three for Scheduled Tribes.

In the 2022 assembly polls, the BJP had won 12 seats under the Mandi parliamentary constituency, making it a prestigious battle for former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur to prove the party's continued dominance in the region. The Congress candidate, Vikramaditya Singh, aimed to demonstrate the deep-rooted influence of the Rampur ruling family in the constituency.

The BJP's Ram Swaroop Sharma had won the Mandi seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by a margin of 4,05,459 votes. However, following Sharma's demise, a by-election was held in 2021, which saw Congress candidate Pratibha Singh emerge victorious by a margin of 8,766 votes, riding on a sympathy wave after the death of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh.

The Congress party expressed gratitude to the people of India as the party witnessed an improvement in its electoral performance compared to the previous elections. The INDIA bloc, of which Congress is a part, is leading in over 230 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The party shared images on social media, including one featuring Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and former AICC president Sonia Gandhi, with the caption "Dhanyavad Hindustan." Another image showcased the Indian Constitution with Rahul Gandhi in the background, accompanied by the caption, "Hindustan ki Janta ki Awaaz - Samvidhan."

As the vote counting nears completion, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured a majority, leading in approximately 300 seats. The INDIA bloc, surpassing expectations, is ahead in 232 seats, according to the latest trends. This outcome contradicts the projections made by most exit polls, which had predicted a clear victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led NDA.

Rahul Gandhi emerged victorious in the Rae Bareli constituency, defeating BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh by a margin of 3,90,030 votes. Gandhi contested this seat with the aim of preserving the party's sole stronghold in Uttar Pradesh after losing Amethi in 2019. He also secured a win in Wayanad, the seat that marked his entry into the Lok Sabha in 2019, defeating Communist Party of India-Marxist candidate Annie Raja by 3,64,422 votes.

During a press conference in New Delhi, the Congress party described the election results as a "political and moral defeat" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on whose name the BJP campaign was centered. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated, "This election results are 'janta ka result'. This is the victory of people and the democracy. We were saying that the fight is Modi vs the people. In the 18th Lok Sabha election, we humbly accept the result. People have not given a full majority to any party. BJP asked to vote for one person, the mandate has gone against Modi. It is his political and moral loss. The person who sought votes on his name, it's a huge loss for him."

Rahul Gandhi praised the people of Uttar Pradesh for the INDIA bloc's strong performance in the state, defying exit poll predictions. He said, "UP ki janta ne kamaal karke dikha diya...The people of UP understood the politics of the country and the danger to the Constitution, and they safeguarded the Constitution. I want to thank all the states but I would especially thank Uttar Pradesh. I thank them for supporting the Congress party and the INDIA alliance." According to the latest data from the Election Commission of India, the INDIA bloc is leading in 44 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, with the Samajwadi Party ahead in 38 seats and the Congress party leading in 6 seats.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a resounding victory in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, securing all four Lok Sabha seats. Union Minister Anurag Thakur emerged victorious for the fifth consecutive time from the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat, while actor Kangana Ranaut and Rajiv Bharadwaj made their successful debuts from Mandi and Kangra seats, respectively. Former BJP state president Suresh Kashyap retained his Shimla seat.

The Congress not only failed to retain the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, which was won by state Congress chief Pratibha in the 2021 by-election, but also saw its hopes of recapturing the Shimla (SC) seat shattered as the BJP secured the seat for the fourth consecutive time. However, the margins of victory for the BJP candidates in Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, and Shimla (SC) decreased compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP's vote share also reduced from 69.71 per cent in 2019 to 56.44 per cent in 2024, while the Congress' vote share increased significantly from 23.53 per cent to 41.67 per cent.

The slogan "Ek vote PM ko, Ek Vote CM ko" (One vote for PM, One vote for CM) seemed to benefit the BJP at the Centre and the Congress at the state level, as the voting patterns for Lok Sabha and Assembly by-elections differed. The BJP swept the Lok Sabha polls but lost four crucial assembly by-elections, with the Congress winning Gagret, Kutlehar, Sujanpur, and Lahaul and Spiti seats, and the BJP securing Dharamshala and Barsar assembly seats. The six assembly seats fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress rebels who defied the party whip during the budget session.

The Congress raised issues such as the Agniveer scheme, promised 30 lakh jobs, and sought votes to protect the Constitution, but these matters did not resonate with voters in the Lok Sabha polls. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu focused the party's campaign on the six assembly by-elections, urging voters to punish the "saleable" MLAs and targeting the Centre for discrimination during monsoon and attempts to topple the government. The BJP, on the other hand, sought votes to make Narendra Modi the prime minister for a third term, highlighted his achievements, and criticized the Congress as pro-Pakistan and pro-Muslim while accusing them of not fulfilling poll promises.

Kangana Ranaut, despite her controversial remarks, emerged victorious, while Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh struggled to gain expected support in Kullu and Mandi districts. BJP candidate from Kangra, Rajiv Bharadwaj, a low-profile grassroots leader, surprised many by defeating Congress stalwart and former Union minister Anand Sharma. Kangana attributed her victory to PM Modi, calling it a win for the common man.

BJP state chief Rajiv Bindal and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur asserted that the people have once again given the mandate to the party, and Modi is set to become the prime minister for the third consecutive term. State Congress chief Pratibha Singh acknowledged the party's defeat in the four Lok Sabha seats, stating that the results did not meet expectations and that the reasons behind the defeat would be reviewed.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini faces a significant challenge in uniting the BJP and preparing for the upcoming assembly elections, following the party's loss of five Lok Sabha seats in the state. In the recent bypoll for the Karnal assembly constituency, Saini emerged victorious with a margin of over 41,450 votes against Congress candidate Tarlochan Singh.

Saini's unexpected appointment as chief minister on March 12 was a result of the BJP's decision to effect a leadership change in the state. The 54-year-old OBC leader, considered a close aide of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, rose through the ranks of the party and replaced the BJP strongman whose second term was set to end in October.

With the Congress gaining ground in the state and the BJP losing five seats it had won in 2019, Saini must ensure that the party quickly recovers from the setback and prepares for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha polls. Reacting to his performance in the Karnal assembly seat, Saini expressed gratitude to the people of Haryana for their participation in the democratic process and their support for the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

Saini's appointment as the state BJP chief in October was seen as a move to strengthen the party's hold over the OBC community and non-Jats, as the support of the predominant Jat community is largely divided among the Congress, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Additionally, his selection as chief minister was perceived as a counter to the anti-incumbency sentiment against the previous BJP government led by Khattar.

Born on January 25, 1970, in Mirjapur Majra village in Ambala district, Saini is a law graduate who shares a long-standing relationship with Khattar, dating back to their RSS days. He served as a minister in the Khattar cabinet between 2014 and 2019 and became an MLA from the Naraingarh assembly segment in 2014 when the BJP formed its first government in Haryana with a majority. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Saini defeated Congress' Nirmal Singh from the Kurukshetra seat by a margin of 3,84,591 votes.

Asaduddin Owaisi, the AIMIM president, attributed the BJP's underwhelming performance in the Lok Sabha elections to the party's decade-long politics of hatred and alleged false promises made to the people. Owaisi, who secured a fifth consecutive term as the Hyderabad MP, expressed his willingness to offer support if Narendra Modi fails to secure a third term as prime minister.

"We have publicly taken a stand that we will stop BJP," he told reporters.

Despite the ongoing vote counting, Owaisi believed that the BJP might fall short of the magic number of 272 seats on its own. The latest Election Commission data indicated that the BJP was leading in 240 seats.

Owaisi asserted that the people had grown weary of the BJP's politics of hatred, while the youth were frustrated with the country's unemployment, and the farmers were dissatisfied. He argued that those who cherish the Constitution perceived Modi's call for '400 paar' (more than 400 LS seats) as an attempt to "finish" the Constitution.

"The verdict has come, and if Modi ji forms the government now, then he has to come to the Parliament with the support of allies. It will be a good scene to watch," he said and added that Modi should introspect on the results.

Owaisi congratulated Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on the Congress party's victory in eight out of 17 seats in the state. He criticized the BRS for openly supporting the BJP in Lok Sabha constituencies within the state, deeming it a flawed political strategy.

When asked about aligning with the INDIA bloc, Owaisi clarified that his party is not a part of the alliance. However, he stated, "If such a situation arises where a non-BJP, non-NDA person comes forward to become prime minister, then we will definitely support. But, we don't know whether such a scenario will arise or not." Owaisi expressed gratitude to the voters, including women, youth, and senior citizens, for his victory in the Hyderabad constituency, where he defeated BJP's K Madhavi Latha by a margin of over 3.38 lakh votes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Tuesday that the BJP-led NDA will establish its third consecutive government, attributing the victory to the determination of Viksit Bharat, the principle of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas', and the unwavering faith of the people in India's Constitution. Addressing party workers and leaders at the BJP central office following the Lok Sabha poll results, PM Modi expressed gratitude to the people for placing their trust in the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

He emphasized that this marks the first instance since 1962 where a government that completed two full terms has secured a third successive term in office, creating "new history" after six decades. The Prime Minister specifically highlighted BJP's performance in Odisha, where the party is set to form the government for the first time, while also achieving impressive results in the state's Lok Sabha polls.

"On this sacred day, it is confirmed that NDA is forming the government for the third time. We are grateful to the people, they reposed full faith on the BJP, NDA. This is the victory of the world's largest democracy, it is a victory of strong faith on India's Constitution, it is the victory of the resolve of Viksit Bharat. It is the victory of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas'," he said.

PM Modi also commended the Election Commission for successfully conducting the world's largest democratic exercise, praising their efficiency in the face of scorching heat. He acknowledged the effective work of the security forces and expressed pride in the credibility of India's election process and system.

As the Prime Minister arrived at the party headquarters, BJP workers welcomed him, with some raising chants of "Jai Jagannath". According to the latest trends from the Election Commission, the NDA is leading or has won 291 seats, while the INDIA bloc has secured or is leading on 234 seats. The BJP alone is poised to win 240 seats.

The Congress party has declared the Lok Sabha election results as a mandate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it his "political and moral defeat". In a joint press conference, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi announced that the INDIA bloc allies will meet on Wednesday to discuss their future course of action, including the possibility of approaching former partners JD(U) and TDP for government formation.

Rahul Gandhi emphasized that the INDIA bloc will make decisions collectively and act accordingly. The election results showed the BJP falling short of the majority mark, while the Congress is set to win 99 seats, nearly doubling its 2019 tally. Kharge stated that the election results are a victory for democracy and the people, who have sent a clear message against PM Modi.

The Congress chief claimed that the party and the INDIA alliance faced a hostile environment during the elections, with the government machinery creating obstacles at every step. He asserted that the people saw through the lies spread by the prime minister about the Congress manifesto and believed that another term for Modi would lead to an attack on the Constitution.

Rahul Gandhi described the election as a fight to save the Constitution, with the poor and marginalized standing up to protect it. He expressed pride in the people of India for resisting the attack on the Constitution and stated that the Congress and the INDIA bloc have provided the country with a new, pro-poor vision.

Gandhi also drew a parallel between the BJP's declining seats and the falling Adani stocks, suggesting a direct correlation between Modi and Adani. He thanked the electorate of Uttar Pradesh for supporting the Congress and protecting the Constitution. When asked about his decision regarding the Wayanad or Rae Bareli seat, Gandhi said he had not yet made a decision.

Lastly, he commented on the victory of Congress candidate K L Sharma in Amethi, stating that Sharma's long-standing work in the area made his victory certain.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declared on Tuesday that the Lok Sabha election victory for its alliance highlights the public's trust and belief in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India, known as "Viksit Bharat". Amit Shah, the Home Minister, stated on the social media platform X that the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) third consecutive win in the national election demonstrates that people's confidence lies solely in Modi. The voters' support is a testament to the prime minister's efforts over the past decade to improve the lives of the poor and farmers, revive heritage, and promote women's self-respect.

Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister, affirmed that the NDA's electoral success is a triumph of Modi's policies and his commitment to the well-being of the underprivileged. The people of India have expressed their immense trust in Modi's leadership, he added. Singh further stated, "Modiji is going to become the prime minister for a third time and under his leadership, we will work with new energy and enthusiasm to realise the dream of a developed India."

Shah emphasized that "this victory of the NDA is a reflection of people's unwavering faith in Modi who has devoted his life for the country". He added that with this mandate, a "New India" is prepared to further propel and strengthen the nation's development journey.

Singh noted that over the last 10 years, India has reached a point where not only its citizens but also all nations have confidence in its ability to provide leadership and a new direction to the world while becoming more developed. J P Nadda, the BJP president, commended Modi's leadership and praised the party's allies for their efforts. He added that the people of the country have once again placed their trust in the strong government led by the prime minister.

Although the BJP lost its majority in the polls, the results of which were announced on Tuesday, the alliance it leads has comfortably surpassed the crucial threshold of 272 seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing supporters at the BJP headquarters, highlighted the party's remarkable performance in the recent elections. He emphasized that even though the opposition parties came together, they were unable to match the number of seats secured by the BJP alone.

"Opposition despite being united could not win as many seats as BJP got on its own," PM Modi stated, underlining the overwhelming support and trust the party has garnered from the electorate. The Prime Minister's words reflected the BJP's strong position and its ability to outperform the combined efforts of the opposition parties.

The address by PM Modi to the gathered supporters at the BJP headquarters served as a celebration of the party's electoral success and a testament to its enduring popularity among the masses.

As the BJP-led NDA is set to form the government following the Lok Sabha election results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the people of India for placing their trust in the alliance for the third consecutive time. He described this moment as unparalleled in the nation's history and thanked his family for their love and blessings. In a post on X, the Prime Minister assured the citizens that the government would work with renewed energy, enthusiasm, and resolve to fulfill their aspirations.
PM Modi also conveyed his heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to all the workers for their dedication and tireless efforts. He secured his third consecutive victory from Varanasi, defeating Congress candidate Ajay Rai by a margin of 1,52,513 votes. According to the latest ECI trends, the NDA is leading in 293 seats, while the INDIA bloc is ahead in 232 seats. The BJP alone is leading or has won 240 seats.

In the previous Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019, the BJP had secured a majority on its own, winning 282 seats in 2014 and increasing its tally to 303 seats in 2019. The Lok Sabha polls were conducted in seven phases from April 19 to June 1.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the people of Odisha following the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) unprecedented victory in the state, ending Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's more than two-decade-long reign. The Prime Minister pledged that the BJP would spare no effort in realizing the aspirations of the people and elevating Odisha to new levels of development. "Thank you Odisha! It's a resounding victory for good governance and celebrating Odisha's unique culture. BJP will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the dreams of people and taking Odisha to new heights of progress. I am very proud of all our hardworking Party Karyakartas for their efforts," PM Modi said in a post on X. The BJP secured a majority in the Odisha assembly for the first time, winning 78 out of 147 seats, while the Biju Janata Dal won 51 seats.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed his appreciation to the people of Andhra Pradesh, where the NDA achieved a significant victory, unseating Jagan Mohan Reddy's government. He assured that the government would strive for the comprehensive development of the state. "Andhra Pradesh has given an exceptional mandate to NDA! I thank the people of the state for their blessings. I congratulate @ncbn Garu, @PawanKalyan Garu and the Karyakartas of @JaiTDP, @JanaSenaParty and @BJP4Andhra for this emphatic victory. We will work for the all-round progress of AP and ensure the state prospers in the times to come," the Prime Minister stated on X. The BJP formed an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party, led by Chandrababu Naidu, and Pawan Kalyan's JanaSena Party in Andhra Pradesh. The NDA secured a landslide victory, winning 163 out of the 175 seats in the Andhra Pradesh assembly. The TDP won 134 seats, the JanaSena Party won 21 seats, and the BJP won 8 seats.

As the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections nears completion, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is leading in approximately 300 constituencies, while the INDIA bloc, contrary to predictions, is leading in over 230 seats. The majority of exit polls had forecasted a consecutive term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with several of them projecting a two-thirds majority for the ruling BJP-led NDA.

The swearing-in-ceremony of the Council of Ministers is set to take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the coming days. As a result, the visit in Circuit -1 will be closed to the general public from June 5 to 9, according to an official statement released on Tuesday.

It is anticipated that a meeting of the Union Cabinet will convene on Wednesday, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The tallying of votes for the Lok Sabha elections is currently in its concluding stages, with the BJP emerging as the party with the most seats.

In a tweet, PM Modi expressed his gratitude, stating, "People have placed their faith in NDA, for a third consecutive time! This is a historical feat in India's history. 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 people."

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the efforts of the party workers, adding, "I also salute all our Karyakartas for their hard work. Words will never do justice to their exceptional efforts."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, highlighting the historic achievement of his government's re-election for a third consecutive term, a feat unseen since 1962. He emphasized, "After 1962, for the first time, a govt has comeback to power for the third time after being in power twice back to back."

The Prime Minister also noted the significant political shifts in various states across the country. He pointed out that the Congress party had been completely defeated in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim. Furthermore, he confidently stated, "BJP is going to form govt in Odisha."

Modi acknowledged the BJP's success in Kerala, a state where the party had previously struggled to gain a foothold. He praised the dedication and sacrifices made by the party workers in the region, saying, "BJP won a seat in Kerala as well, our party workers in Kerala have made a lot of sacrifices..."