Plus: Russia's shadow over European elections, and Dior's Scottish inspiration ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed victory in the election for his ruling coalition, although his BJP party lost its outright majority. Soutik Biswas has the key takeaways. From Poland, Sarah Rainsford reports on how security is weighing on the minds of voters at the European elections. We're also looking at how a Scottish castle inspired Dior's latest collection, and the child of a US lawmaker stealing his thunder in Congress. | |
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QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Why Modi fell short of outright majority |
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| | Mr Modi will now have to work more collaboratively with coalition parties. Credit: Reuters | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on course for a historic third term in power, after the alliance he leads secured the 272 seats needed to form a government. But his Hindu nationalist BJP lost its outright parliamentary majority, as the Congress Party-led opposition enjoyed a surprise revival. |
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| | Soutik Biswas, India correspondent |
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| What's been the reaction? | The significant loss of seats for his party - more than 50 - dims the allure of a third term, especially given Mr Modi's campaign targeting 400 coalition seats, making anything less seem like an under-achievement. This has led to jubilation in the Congress camp and some despair in BJP quarters. | So, what went wrong for the BJP? | The BJP's significant drop in seats may be linked to joblessness, rising prices, growing inequality and a controversial army recruitment reform, among other things. Mr Modi's harsh and divisive campaign, particularly targeting Muslims, could also have alienated voters in some regions. His ambitious slogan "Ab ki baar, 400 paar", aiming for more than 400 seats for his NDA alliance, may have backfired, with such a massive majority raising fears of constitutional changes among the poor. | What proved crucial? | Mr Modi’s party faced its largest setback in Uttar Pradesh (UP), a state larger than the United Kingdom and three times as populous. With 80 parliamentary seats, UP holds significant sway in national politics - many consider it the gateway to Delhi. Both Mr Modi and [Congress Party leader] Rahul Gandhi hold seats there. | | Four reasons: The BBC's reporters in India set out why some voters baulked at backing the BJP - plus what happens next. And watch as Yogita Limaye examines where the Modi campaign succeeded - and fell short. Live results: See who won in each constituency, and how voters' preferences changed from 2019. Stock market: India's benchmark NSE Nifty 50 share index closed down nearly 6% after election results indicated Mr Modi's party may not be able to form a majority government. | |
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| Poland votes with Russia on its mind | | Donald Tusk is urging people to go out to vote in order to defend themselves. Credit: Matthew Goddard/BBC | As the country shares a 232km (144 mile) border with the heavily militarised Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk is highlighting security - specifically, the threat of Russian aggression - as the big theme of the European elections this weekend. |
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| | Sarah Rainsford, Eastern Europe correspondent |
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| | Here in Poland, even the younger generation are being put on guard. In a school just outside Warsaw, children have been learning survival skills. It’s part of a new programme that’s sending soldiers from the Territorial Defence to teach emergency drills in classrooms across the country. From evacuation to orienteering, via resuscitation, they’re useful skills.
But the teenagers we met were clear why they’re getting the training. "Because there is a war in Ukraine and we are in danger," 17-year-old Sebastian told me, in a break between drills. Not nervous, just matter of fact. "Russia is near to us and they could attack us, I think," Igor agreed. "We need to learn how to defend ourselves." |
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THE BIG PICTURE | Scotland inspires latest Dior collection |
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| | | Jennifer Lawrence was among the celebrities at the star-studded event in Perthshire. Credit: PA Media | The Maria Grazia Chiuri-led fashion house took inspiration from Scottish history for a show held in the gardens of Drummond Castle in Perthshire, as celebrities including Jennifer Lawrence, Rosamund Pike and Anya Taylor-Joy watched on. |
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FOR YOUR DOWNTIME | I'm mutating here! | New York City's wildlife is adapting to the bustling city. | |
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