KABUL: Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, is forming a coalition government after his party failed to secure the required number of seats in parliament, media reported.
The newly elected parliament is scheduled to take the oath today (Sunday, June 09).
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 240 seats out of the total 543 parliamentary seats, falling short of the 272 seats needed to form a majority government on its own. The BJP has therefore allied with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to create a coalition government.
With the support of the NDA, Modi’s coalition now controls 293 seats, allowing him to return as Prime Minister for another term.
The 73-year-old leader, who will be sworn in as prime minister on Sunday for a rare third term, will now form a coalition government.
The Indian parliamentary elections are considered the largest democratic exercise in the world, taking place in the world’s most populous country.