Global media hails Narendra Modi’s victory

Nagpur, May 17: Major global media including print and electronic welcomed the spectacular and historic electoral victory of the Bharatiya Janata Pary (BJP) –led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and its charismatic leader Narendra Modi in the just concluded General Elections in India the results of which were announced on Friday.

US President Barack Obama congratulated BJP on its victory. Canada’s PM Stephen Harper, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Bangladesh chief Sheikh Hasina, and Sri Lankan leader congratulated Narendra Modi and BJP on their electoral victory.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot tweeted, "I've spoken to @narendramodi and congratulated him on his success. I look forward to strengthening ties between India and Australia" Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Narendra Modi and said,"Looking forward to work together, enhance bilateral relationship".

BBC News, which has been covering the Indian elections extensively, writes, "Congress admits India poll defeat".

The Daily Star/Reuters writes, "Modi wins landslide victory in Indian election". The Bangkok Post carries an AFP article which says, "Modi poised for victory as India steers right". The article says that the 'BJP victory and a Modi prime ministership would usher in a new style of leadership by an abrasive Hindi-speaking nationalist drawn from outside the usual Delhi power circles'.

The Wire has also carried a detailed report on LS poll results. "Narenda Modi Is India's Next Leader", reads its headline. The New York Times' headline reads, "Congress Party Concedes Defeat as India Backs Modi". The article says, "In a humiliation for Mr. Gandhi, 43, a group of workers gathered around party headquarters in the capital city, chanting "Bring Priyanka, Save Congress," a reference to his younger sister, who is seen as the more charismatic politician. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a Congress spokesman, conceded that the party had been defeated".

A Washington Post article has the headline,"Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi heads to victory in Indian election". The article says, "Voters appeared to be looking beyond Modi's Hindu nationalist leanings and his controversial past as a leader who failed to control riots when his state descended into religious violence more than a decade ago". Washtington Post carried an article today, May 17 focussing on the foreign policies between United States and India.

The writer Fareed Zakaria said that the US must rethink its visa policy as US had blacklisted Narendra Modi over visa issues following the 2002 Gujarat riots. Fareed Zakaria has been a critique of Narendra Modi for a long time and had said Modi will not survive as regional leader.

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.

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.

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.