World media tracks Lok Sabha polls result, focus on Modi and economy

The coverage in international media ranged from celebrations to campaign speeches to growth prospects under Modi.

BJP on Friday said the people of the country have rejected ‘dynastic’ rule while rewarding hard work.

The massive victory of Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha elections 2014 found a considerable mention in not just the Indian media, but also the International press. Leading media organisations from across the globe, such as The Guardian, The Australian, The Straits Times and The Telegraph gave regular updates as the results unfolded on May 16.

The New York Times concentrated on the historic victory of the BJP, with focus on the success of Modi and Congress defeat, The Guardian reported about the celebrations outside BJP party offices, the lower economic growth of the country and how the economists believe that next government coming in power must do a better job. Meanwhile, The Telegraph displayed the pictures of BJP supporters celebrating their historic victory.

India polls: BJP declares ‘new era’ as Congress concedes defeat: The Straits Times said – “India’s triumphant Hindu nationalists declared “the start of a new era” in the world’s biggest democracy on Friday as the ruling Congress conceded defeat in elections that exposed anger about sickly economic growth and rampant corruption. Preliminary results and media projections at the climax of the marathon six-week election showed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its hardline leader Narendra Modi on track for the first parliamentary majority by a single party in 30 years.

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Narendra Modi wins India election with landslide victory – The Telegraph said, “Hindu nationalist leader declares ‘the start of a new era’ in the world’s biggest democracy. Narendra Modi, the controversial Hindu nationalist leader, has promised “good days are coming” in his first reaction to a historic victory by his Bharatiya Janata Party in national elections. As early official indications of results emerged from the largest election in history, Mr Modi’s BJP was leading in 277 of India’s 543 constituencies, while the Congress party appeared to have been routed with its leader Rahul Gandhi at risk of losing his seat.

Indian election 2014 results: Modi and BJP secure massive victory – The Guardian said, “The mood is utterly jubilant” at the BJP’s headquarters in Delhi. The party has hired two elephants, painted with lotus symbols, to celebrate the victory. People are surprised by the range of support expressed for the BJP including from young and old women and members of minority communities. ” People feel the biggest issue is the lack of jobs and the lack of growth and Mr Modi has convinced them that he is the best option to get India’s economy moving. There are reservations among Muslims who hope that Modi will govern for the whole of India not just Hindus. But people are ready for change no matter who is going to bring that change.

Modi set to gain majority in Indian parliament with landslide election win – According to The Australian, “Indian Voters are on track to hand Narendra Modi and his pro-business Bharatiya Janata Party an outright parliamentary majority to deliver on promises of economic revival and good governance, ending a 30-year history of coalition government compromise in the subcontinent. So decisive is the opposition Hindu nationalist party’s victory that the routed Congress Party spokesmen accepted defeat in the 16th national elections less than three hours after counting began of more than 550 million votes. The BJP’s electoral performance looks set to be the best achieved by an Indian political party since 1984, delivered on the back of mass voter dissatisfaction with the Congress-led government whose 10 years in power has been marred by serious corruption scandals and policy paralysis.”

(With inputs from Sneha Thakur)