India elections 2014: Narendra Modi becomes India’s new prime minister
Indian PM-elect Narendra Modi has received an enthusiastic welcome at his BJP party’s headquarters in Delhi after securing the most decisive election victory in three decades.
Narendra Modi was cheered by supporters after a victory parade from the airport.
Manmohan Singh, whose Congress party was crushed in the poll, has tendered his resignation as prime minister.
Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist and chief minister of Gujarat, campaigned on promises to revive the economy.
Results show the BJP gained a majority in parliament and will be able to govern without coalition partners.
However, many Indians still have profound concerns over Narendra Modi because of claims he did little to stop communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 in which at least 1,000 people died, most of them Muslims.
narendra Modi has always denied the allegations and was never charged.
After arriving in Delhi from his home state of Gujarat, Narendra Modi was greeted by flag-waving supporters. He stepped out of his car, flashing a victory sign.
Narendra Modi was cheered by supporters after a victory parade from Delhi airport
A brass band, drummers and bagpipers met him at the BJP headquarters, while bunting and balloons decorated the street.
Narendra Modi will go to Varanasi for a ceremony by the river Ganges later on Saturday.
With votes still being counted, the BJP has won more than the 272 seats needed for a parliamentary majority.
With its allies, the party could get more than 330 seats out of 543.
Speaking at the BJP headquarters, Narendra Modi said: “I want to bow, I want to give my thanks… to the people of India.”
He said Indian media had created “consciousness among voters” and a “great festival of Indian democracy”.
On Friday, Narendra Modi wrote in a widely-shared tweet: “India has won, good days are about to come.”
He also told supporters he would rule for all Indians.
“The age of divisive politics has ended – from today onwards the politics of uniting people will begin.”
World leaders, including President Barack Obama and UK PM David Cameron, have congratulated Narendra Modi on his victory.
India’s new leader has received invitations to Washington and London. Previously, the US denied him visas and the UK cut off all ties with him following the 2002 riots.
Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif commended the BJP’s “impressive victory” in the election.
The Congress party, which has dominated Indian politics since independence, is only expected to win 44 seats.
Congress has been mired in serious corruption scandals and its leadership has been considered ineffective in recent years, analysts say.
Accepting defeat, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said: “We humbly respect the verdict of the people.”
Manmohan Singh met the president to hand in his resignation.
In a televised farewell address earlier on Saturday, Manmohan Singh said the government had achieved a lot in the last 10 years.
“I wish the incoming government every success,” Manmohan Singh said.
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