Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed victory for his alliance on Tuesday in India’s general election, despite a lacklustre performance from his own party.

He faced a stronger than expected challenge from the opposition, which rejected the leader’s mixed economic record and polarising politics.

Mr Modi said that his National Democratic Alliance will form the government for the third consecutive time.

Speaking from @BJP4India HQ. https://t.co/x2neIsArbi

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2024

“Today’s victory is the victory of the world’s largest democracy” he said, speaking at his party headquarters.

For the first time since Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party swept to power in 2014, it appeared unlikely that it would secure a majority on its own.

But the prime minister’s coalition was still expected to be elected to a third five-year term in the world’s largest democratic exercise.

If Mr Modi, 73, does have to rely on coalition support to govern, it would be a stunning blow for him. He had hoped for a landslide victory.