As the votes are being counted Tuesday evening and the BJP-led NDA was set comfortably to form the next government, prime minister Narendra Modi termed the emerging verdict as people’s reposing of faith in the NDA for a “historic” third consecutive time, while Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called it “people’s victory” and a mandate against Modi.

“People have placed their faith in NDA, for a third consecutive time! This is a historical feat in India’s history,” Modi tweeted in the evening.

“I bow to the Janata Janardan for this affection and assure them that we will continue the good work done in the last decade to keep fulfilling the aspirations of people. I also salute all our Karyakartas for their hard work. Words will never do justice to their exceptional efforts.”

Kharge, on the other hand, addressed a press meet in the afternoon. He later tweeted, “Today’s results are people’s victory, democracy’s victory. We accept the people’s verdict.”

He added that the people have not given a clear majority to any particular party, and it was clear that the mandate had gone against Narendra Modi. “This is a major loss for him in moral and political terms.”