Indian PM Modi announces election victory
Xinhua
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NEW DELHI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) victory in the just-concluded 17th general elections, here on Thursday.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures after the election results in New Delhi, India, May 23, 2019. (Photo: VCG) 

The counting of votes, which began Thursday morning, has been underway. The BJP has so far won 61 constituencies and its candidates are leading in other 241 constituencies, indicating that the BJP may go on to win over 300 constituencies, out of the 542 that went to polls.

Addressing his party workers at BJP headquarters, Modi said, "We had sought mandate for a New India. I bow down before the 1.3 billion countrymen on this occasion. I thank the Election Commission of India and the security personnel for carrying out the entire election process peacefully."

Modi's victory-speech was at times interrupted by slogans like "Modi...Modi...Modi" by thousands of BJP supporters present on the occasion.

He was accompanied by his party president Amit Shah, who is credited with forging strategic alliances with smaller parties across different states thereby ensuring BJP candidates' victories.

Senior BJP leaders, including Home Minister (Internal Security) Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Health Minister J.P. Nadda were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Amit Shah said that the BJP had secured more than 50 percent of the total votes polled in as many as 17 states.