PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) took early leads in the counting of votes for the recently general elections in India and was set to reach the magic figure of 272 to form the government for the third successive time. However, the opposition improved their show by far compared to last two elections.
Till the last results came out, the Hindu nationalist party was leading in 273 seats while the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) was leading in 231. Other alliances were leading in 18 seats.
In terms of the party, the BJP alone was leading in 181 seats while the Indian National Congress, the main opposition party, was leading in 60. Other parties were leading in 116.
Voting was held for 543 parliamentary constituencies over seven phases between April 19 and June 1. To form the government, a party or alliance has to win 272 (more than 50 per cent) seats.
Counting was also underway for local elections in two states -- Odisha and Andhra Pradesh -- that were held alongside the general elections.
This photograph taken on April 28, 2026 shows a boy getting "thali", a sacred thread tied to his neck symbolising marriage to Hindu warrior god Aravan during the annual Koovagam transgender festival at the Koothandavar temple in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district. For a few fleeting days each year, at the heart of the Koothandavar Temple where ostracised transgender community members from across India come to honour the Hindu deity Aravan, a tradition rooted in millennia-old Hindu texts -- and to enjoy a brief oasis of freedom.Getty Images
This photograph taken on April 29, 2026 shows a member of the transgender community mourning as a priest cuts the "thali", a sacred thread symbolising end of her marriage to Hindu warrior god Aravan during the annual Koovagam transgender festival at the Koothandavar temple in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district. For a few fleeting days each year, at the heart of the Koothandavar Temple where ostracised transgender community members from across India come to honour the Hindu deity Aravan, a tradition rooted in millennia-old Hindu texts -- and to enjoy a brief oasis of freedom. Getty Images