Modi hails India election win

Modi greeted a crowd of supporters in his constituency of Vadodara in Gujarat for the first time Friday, following a landslide victory that will see the 63-year-old become prime minister of the world's second most-populated country.

"The heat of the election is over and the people have given their verdict, which says that we need to take India forward to fulfill the dreams of India's 1.2 billion people," Modi said. "There are no enemies in democracy, there is only opposition. I will take your love and convert it into progress before I return."

Modi, who was met by thousands of people chanting his name, smiled and flashed the sign for victory as he told the crowd that he promised to work with opposition parties.

"To run the government it is our responsibility to take everyone along," he said. "I want to take all of you with me to take this country forward."

"Everyone's support and everyone's development is our mantra, and these are not hollow words, this is our spirit," Modi added. "That is why the people have given us a clear majority."

Record turnout

Modi ran on a campaign of pro-business policies and reduced corruption. While his supporters see him as India's best chance to boost the country's ailing economy, critics have warned his religious hardliner reputation will fuel religious tension in the majority-Hindu country, which is home to 150 million Muslims.

India's hotly-contested election, which ended with Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning a clear majority of the country's 272 parliamentary seats, saw a record turnout of 66.38 percent. Official results on Saturday confirmed Modi's victory, as the Election Commission showed the BJP had crossed the threshold for a majority in India's 543-member parliament.

The leaders of India's ruling Congress party, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, admitted personal responsibility for their defeat Friday, which spelled the end of their 10 years in power.

"We understand that victory and loss is part of democracy," party president Sonia told reporters in New Delhi. "We respect this decision. I take responsibility for this defeat."

Rahul, who congratulated Modi and the BJP on their victory, echoed the sentiments of his mother Sonia.

"We have done pretty badly. As vice-president of the party I hold myself responsible," he said."

International congratulations

Following the BJP's landslide performance Friday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called Modi to hail the "impressive victory," according to a statement from Sharif's office. While a victory for the nationalist Modi has stoked fears of strained relations with Pakistan, Sharif has sought to improve ties with India since his election to office last year.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, meanwhile, said Modi had accepted an official invitation to visit Britain in the wake of his election win. The announcement marks a major turnaround since London first boycotted the Hindu nationalist 10 years ago over anti-Muslim violence in his home state of Gujarat.

"The Prime Minister called Narendra Modi this morning to congratulate him on his victory in the Indian elections and the record turnout, making this the biggest democratic election in history," said a spokesman for Cameron. "Both leaders agree on the importance of the UK-India relationship and agreed to work together to strengthen it in the months ahead."

The United States also offered congratulations to Modi, with President Barack Obama inviting him to Washington for a visit.

"Once the government is formed, we look forward to working closely with the prime minister and the cabinet to advance our strong, bilateral relationship based on shared democratic values," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

dr/tj (AFP, Reuters)