Nepal’s top leaders congratulate Indian PM Modi on election victory

KATHMANDU, June 5: The top leaders of the major political parties have extended their congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he prepares to assume office for a third consecutive term following the Lok Sabha election results announcement on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center), congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the electoral success of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha polls. “We are happy to note the successful completion of the world’s largest democratic exercise with enthusiastic participation of the people of India,” Prime Minister Dahal wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

In response, Prime Minister Modi expressed his anticipation of continued cooperation to strengthen India-Nepal friendship.

Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba also extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Modi on securing a third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India following the BJP and NDA’s victory. “Your leadership, dedication, and vision continue to inspire and shape a bright future for India,” he wrote on X.

Ruling CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli also congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his historic third term and the victory for the BJP and its allies. “I congratulate the Indian people for their great democratic exercise. I wish for your continued success in driving India's progress and prosperity,” he wrote on X.

The final results published overnight showed the BJP had lost its majority for the first time since 2014. The ruling party won 240 seats in India’s 543-seat Lok Sabha, or lower house, where it will remain the largest party. The opposition INDIA bloc, led by the formerly ruling Indian National Congress, performed better than expected, winning 234 seats.

Modi announced on Tuesday evening that he plans to form a government with smaller parties in the NDA that won another 53 seats, giving the prime minister’s bloc a potential total of 293 seats.