Modi-Led Alliance Set to Form India’s Next Government, With Narrower Victory Than Expected

NEW DELHI—No single political party is heading toward an absolute majority in India’s national elections, but preliminary results show a victory for incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although without the overwhelming mandate Mr. Modi had predicted. Vote counting started on Tuesday morning, with final results still to be announced. However, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will likely form the next government. The NDA, a political alliance led by Mr. Modi’s Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leads in 295 out of 543 seats in the 18th Lok Sabha—lower house of the Indian Parliament. The BJP emerged as the single largest winner, claiming leads and victories in 240 seats, while the Indian National Congress (INC) placed second at nearly 100 victories and leads. The INC heads the INDIA alliance (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) which is leading in 233 seats....