Modi Says His Coalition Is On The Path To A Third Straight Term, Calling It A 'Historical Feat'

NEW DELHI (AP) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi says his coalition is on the path to a third straight term in India’s election, calling it a “historical feat.”

His coalition led in a majority of seats Tuesday in India’s general election, according to partial figures, but faced a stronger challenge from the opposition than expected after it pushed back against the leader’s mixed economic record and polarizing politics.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition led in a majority of seats Tuesday in India’s general election, according to partial figures, but faced a stronger challenge from the opposition than expected after it pushed back against the leader’s mixed economic record and polarizing politics.

His Hindu nationalist party appeared unlikely to secure a majority on its own, according to an ongoing count showed, despite pre-election hopes of a landslide victory — but Modi was still expected to be elected to a third five-year term in the world’s largest democratic exercise.

If that trend holds, it would be a stunning blow for the 73-year-old leader, who has never been in a position where he has needed to rely on his coalition partners to govern.

The counting of more than 640 million votes cast over six weeks was set to take all day, and early figures could change.

In his 10 years in power, Modi has transformed India’s political landscape, bringing Hindu nationalism, once a fringe ideology in India, into the mainstream while leaving the country deeply divided.

His supporters see him as a self-made, strong leader who has improved India’s standing in the world. His critics and opponents say his Hindu-first politics have bred intolerance and