Sikyong Sangay congratulates Modi and BJP on election win

DHARAMSALA, May 17: The elected head of the Tibetan people, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay congratulated Narendra Modi and his party, Bhartiya Janta Dal (BJP) for the landslide victory in the 16th Lok Sabha election.

“I take this opportunity to thank the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for their unwavering support for the Tibetan people during its two full terms. I also congratulate the incoming National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Bharatya Janata Party,” Sikyong Sangay said in a statement released yesterday.

The Tibetan leader also showered praise on India’s practice of vibrant democracy with unity and diversity as its core principles.

“The people of India have strongly affirmed their democratic rights by setting a new benchmark with highest-ever voter turnout of 66.4%. India is truly the largest democracy in the world. With unity in diversity as its core principles, India continues to practice vibrant democracy with development,” Sikyong Sangay said.

With Modi as the Prime ministerial candidate, the BJP has scripted history by securing majority on its own and delivering its highest ever tally with 284 seats. It is also the first time in the past 30 years that a single political party has secured more than 272 seats required to form a government. The NDA, which includes BJP and its allies, has secured 339 seats in the just-concluded general elections. The party’s emphatic win was welcomed with celebrations across the country.

The Congress party witnessed its worst performance with only 44 seats and might not even form the main opposition party in the Indian Parliament for which a party needs to win 10% of the total 543 seats.