Journalist and columnist Swaminathan Aiyar has argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a strong enough candidate to be returned to office when the country next votes for the Lok Sabha in 2019.

The assessment

The analysis came as attention began to turn towards the next general election. At the time Mr Modi had spent two years as Prime Minister, and the assessment pointed to a number of initiatives taken during that period, including moves against corruption in Delhi.

On the strength of that record, Mr Aiyar’s view was that the sitting Prime Minister remained the leader most likely to secure another term. It was presented as a commentator’s personal reading of the political situation rather than a survey-based forecast.

What happened next

The 2019 Lok Sabha election was held between 11 April and 19 May 2019, and votes were counted on 23 May. The BJP won 303 of the 543 seats, while the Congress won 52. Narendra Modi was sworn in for a second term as Prime Minister on 30 May 2019.

See also: Indian elections and members of the Lok Sabha.

Originally published on 1 July 2016. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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