Despite expectations of a landslide victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a more modest win in India’s general election. The NDA won 294 seats, comfortably above the 272 needed to form a government but significantly lower than the 353 seats they secured in 2019.

The BJP, however, saw a reduction in its majority from 303 seats in 2019 to 240 seats in 2024. This loss of outright majority means that the BJP will need the support of its allies to form the next government. On the other hand, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), led by the Indian National Congress, made significant gains, winning 231 seats compared to the 91 seats secured by the United Progressive Alliance in 2019.

Modi took to Twitter to thank the electorate for their support, stating, “People have placed their faith in NDA, for a third consecutive time! This is a historical feat in India’s history.” He also assured the public that the government would continue the work done in the last decade to fulfill the aspirations of the people.

The BJP’s return to power is attributed to its governance and economic progress since 2014. India’s economy has been the fastest-growing among major countries, and there have been improvements in infrastructure and organization. However, there are growing disparities between the rich and poor, and India’s GDP remains significantly lower than that of rival China.

The stock markets reacted negatively to the election results, with both the Sensex and Nifty 50 indices falling nearly 6% on Tuesday. Analysts warned of volatility in the markets during the period of political negotiations.

In terms of the entertainment industry, the BJP government’s implementation of a reimbursement scheme for international productions shooting in India was seen as a significant achievement. The BJP’s manifesto did not directly address the media but promised actions that would indirectly benefit the film and media industry, including infrastructure improvements and innovation in AI.

In contrast, the Congress manifesto directly addressed the media, promising to amend laws to strengthen self-regulation, protect journalistic freedoms, and guard against government interference. The Congress also pledged to amend the Cinematograph Act to ensure transparent and reasonable criteria for film certification.