Ex-Maldives President Nasheed congratulates PM Modi as exit polls predict BJP win

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has congratulated Prime Minister Modi hoping the island nation would be able to continue and boost close co-operation with the Indian government led by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

PM Modi seated with former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed/ (Photo by Handout/ PIB/ AFP)

New Delhi: As the exit polls predicted a thumping victory for the Modi-led NDA government at the centre, wishes have started pouring in for the PM who looks all set for a second term. Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has congratulated Prime Minister Modi hoping the island nation would be able to continue and boost close co-operation with the Indian government led by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). From his official Twitter handle Nasheed tweeted: “As Indian polls close, congratulations are in order for @narendramodi and the BJP. I am sure the Maldives people and Govt will be delighted to continue their close cooperation with the PM and the BJP-led Govt.”

As Indian polls close, congratulations are in order for @narendramodi and the BJP. I am sure the Maldives people and Govt will be delighted to continue their close cooperation with the PM and the BJP-led Govt.

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) May 19, 2019

While the votes of Lok Sbaha election 2019 would be counted on May 23, most exit polls predicted a return of the Modi government with some of them giving the BJP-led ruling NDA well above 300 seats out of the 542 on which polls were held. Over 8,000 candidates were in the fray. As per the ABP Exit Poll, the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is all set to return to power winning 277 seats in Lok Sabha elections, five seats above the majority mark. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) could win 130 seats while other regional parties are tipped to win 135 seats. The BJP alone is expected to win 227 seats, a 30 per cent decline over 2014, while the Congress is seen bagging 87 seats (almost a 200 per cent jump).