Credit where credit is due: Omar Abdullah congratulates PM Modi on massive Lok Sabha poll victory

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Thursday congratulated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for emerging victorious according to trends. Riding on a massive Modi wave sweeping through most parts of India, the BJP was set to return to power as it led in 292 seats while the Congress trailed far behind with 50, according to trends released by the Election Commission for all 542 seats that went to polls.

Taking to micro-blogging website Twitter, Omar wrote, “So the exit polls were correct. All that’s left is to congratulate the BJP & NDA for a stellar performance. Credit where credit is due PM Modi Sahib & Mr Amit Shah put together a winning alliance & a very professional campaign. Bring on the next five years (sic).”

If the trends stay until final results, the BJP would have improved on its 2014 performance when it had won 282 seats on its own in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Adding the seats won by its allies, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could win 343 seats, up from 336 in 2014.

Markets cheered the trends, as the benchmark BSE Sensex touched 40,000 for the first time and NSE Nifty breached the 12,000 level. The rupee appreciated 14 paise to 69.51 against the US dollar trade.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi—Many Congratulations for securing such a big victory for the BJP. I am thankful to the people,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted.