Lok Sabha election results: Parties who wore a mask of secularism have been defeated, says PM Modi

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Byoued by the Lok Sabha election results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah thanked the people of the country and congratulated the party workers for the landslide victory. As per the latest data from the Election Commission, the BJP has won 74 seats and is leading in 227 seats while the Congress is trailing far behind with 51.

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Amid chants of ‘Modi-Modi,’ the prime minister said the results have "unmasked" the faces of political parties who wore the masks of secularism. Adding that it was a long journey from "do (two parliaments) to dobara (second term)," Narendra Modi called it a "victory of democracy." " This is not the victory of Modi but the victory of citizens desperate for honesty in governance. People who have played in the name of caste for years have been given a strong response. Today, India has only two castes – those who are poor and those who want to eradicate poverty," he added.

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Addressing the BJP workers in Delhi, Modi in a lighter vein said, "Today even Meghraj (the Rain God) has joined us in our celebration." It was raining in the national capital in the evening.

He also said that he would take the Opposition along. "We have to look ahead and take everybody along including our rivals. I will not do anything with ill-intentions. The spirit of our democracy and constitution gives us the responsibility to run the country by taking everyone along Calling it a "historic vote," Modi said, "The people of India filled this beggar’s bowl. I have been saying this from the day-1 that this election is not fought by any political party, leaders but by the people of this country. Today people have proven my sentiment right. This is the victory of democracy, the victory of people. The world will have to recognize India s democratic strength."

Drawing an analogy from the epic battle of Mahabharata, Modi said, "Just like Lord Krishna said he was on the side of Hastinapur in Mahabharata, 130 crore Indians have said today, they are on the side of India."

Also present at the venue were Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Shivraj Singh Chouhan among others. The prime minister also congratulated the Election Commission and the polling officials for conducting the polls successfully.

Crores of Indians have blessed us and I would like to express my gratitude to the people. India attained independence and we had multiple Lok Sabha polls. But the voting percentage was the highest during this phase of elections, even during the adverse weather conditions. This shows the commitment of our citizens.," Modi said.

Calling it the "most historic victory" after independence, Amit Shah congratulated the party and the prime minister. "This is the first time that a prime minister with a complete majority is returning to power with such numbers after a full five-year term. It is a matter of pride for all of us."

Crediting the prime minister for the win, Shah said, "Victory for ‘sab ka saath, saab ka vikaas‘, victory for PM Modi’s work for the people. This is a victory of people of India, a victory of the hard work of the BJP workers."