THE mood was upbeat at BJP headquarters in New Delhi shortly after it became evident that prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party was headed for a historic win.
Although counting of votes for 2019 Lok Sabha election is underway, trends so far show the BJP leading with more than 330 seats.
Party workers took to the streets to burst crackers and danced to drumbeats to celebrate the occasion.
In New Delhi, cheering supporters showered BJP president Amit Shah with petals as he arrived at party headquarters.
"It's a stamp of approval by voters on the honest and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Modi," Nalin S Kohli, a BJP spokesman, was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Celebrations were not limited to the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. In Lucknow, women workers shouted slogans and distributed sweets. They also held banners and cutouts reading 'Har Har Modi' and 'Bachcha surakshit Godi mein, Desh surakshit Modi mein'.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Modi promised to unite the country. "Together we will build a strong and inclusive India," Modi said. "India wins yet again!"
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)