India's national elections

[multivita-man]

Looks like the "BJP" (Hindu-nationalist) party, led by current 2-time PM Narendra Modi, is going to retain power but isn't doing nearly as well as they had hoped. It had been projected they might actually get a super-majority, which would enable them to rewrite their constitution - something that had worried a lot of people concerned with the direction of India's democracy under Modi and the nationalists.

Live Updates: India’s Election Results Suggest a Setback for Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing alliance may be headed toward a narrower majority in Parliament, based on early results.

www.nytimes.com

India's elections matter, as it is rapidly becoming a major global power that will be an important ally (strategic partner, if you don't like that word) for the United States if they are to moderate the rising influence of China and the resurgence of Russia. This is true even if India's democracy continues to backslide.

 

[joluoto]

Seems Modi's BJP has lost their majority, but they are still the largest party. This means they will have to find coalition partners.

 

[joluoto]

Having taken a closer look at India there are some regional parties that are aligned with BJP. BJP has not had to rely on them before, but now it seems they have to to have a majority. That means they will have to offer serious pork to the regions these parties are active in.