India's next prime minister, Narendra Modi, greets supporters at his mother's home in Gandhinagar on Friday, May 16. Modi is the leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP. After a five-week-long election, the BJP swept the ruling Indian National Congress from power. Official results were expected later Friday.
India's election: The largest in history —
India's next prime minister, Narendra Modi, greets supporters at his mother's home in Gandhinagar on Friday, May 16. Modi is the leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP. After a five-week-long election, the BJP swept the ruling Indian National Congress from power. Official results were expected later Friday.
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BJP supporters dance and set off firecrackers at the news of election results in Allahabad on May 16.
India's election: The largest in history —
BJP supporters dance and set off firecrackers at the news of election results in Allahabad on May 16.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/ap
Supporters celebrate the opposition's victory in early preliminary results in Guwahati on May 16.
India's election: The largest in history —
Supporters celebrate the opposition's victory in early preliminary results in Guwahati on May 16.
Anupam Nath/ap
Sonia Gandhi, leader of the Indian National Congress, addresses reporters May 16 outside party headquarters in New Delhi, with her son and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi at her side. Rahul Gandhi said he took responsibility for the defeat of the Congress party, which had dominated Indian politics since the nation's independence in 1947.
India's election: The largest in history —
Sonia Gandhi, leader of the Indian National Congress, addresses reporters May 16 outside party headquarters in New Delhi, with her son and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi at her side. Rahul Gandhi said he took responsibility for the defeat of the Congress party, which had dominated Indian politics since the nation's independence in 1947.
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Hiraben Modi, 90, blesses her son Narendra, who becomes India's next prime minister, at her home in Gandhinagar on May 16. Analysts predict his arrival in India's top office will bring a marked change in direction for the world's most populous democracy.
India's election: The largest in history —
Hiraben Modi, 90, blesses her son Narendra, who becomes India's next prime minister, at her home in Gandhinagar on May 16. Analysts predict his arrival in India's top office will bring a marked change in direction for the world's most populous democracy.
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A family follows election results on TV in Guwahati on May 16.
India's election: The largest in history —
A family follows election results on TV in Guwahati on May 16.
Anupam Nath/ap
A Hindu holy man passes a line of people after voting at a polling station Monday, May 12, in Varanasi during the ninth and final phase of elections.
India's election: The largest in history —
A Hindu holy man passes a line of people after voting at a polling station Monday, May 12, in Varanasi during the ninth and final phase of elections.
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An Indian Muslim woman waits in line to vote at a polling station in Varanasi on May 12.
India's election: The largest in history —
An Indian Muslim woman waits in line to vote at a polling station in Varanasi on May 12.
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Election workers prepare to seal an electronic voting machine after the final polls closed on May 12 in Varanasi.
India's election: The largest in history —
Election workers prepare to seal an electronic voting machine after the final polls closed on May 12 in Varanasi.
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The Indian National Congress party's Rahul Gandhi, center, waves to supporters at a rally in Varanasi on Saturday, May 10, the final day of campaigning in <a >India's national election</a>. There are 814 million eligible voters in India, making this the largest election in world history.
India's election: The largest in history —
The Indian National Congress party's Rahul Gandhi, center, waves to supporters at a rally in Varanasi on Saturday, May 10, the final day of campaigning in . There are 814 million eligible voters in India, making this the largest election in world history.
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A family on a motorcycle passes Indian National Congress supporters in Varanasi on May 10.
India's election: The largest in history —
A family on a motorcycle passes Indian National Congress supporters in Varanasi on May 10.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
Former TV journalist Ashutosh and actor Jaaved Jaffrey, who are Aam Aadmi Party parliamentary candidates, help campaign for party leader Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi. Kejriwal established the party in response to the anti-corruption protests in 2011-12, and the party had a surprise showing in the 2013 local elections for the Delhi Assembly.
India's election: The largest in history —
Former TV journalist Ashutosh and actor Jaaved Jaffrey, who are Aam Aadmi Party parliamentary candidates, help campaign for party leader Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi. Kejriwal established the party in response to the anti-corruption protests in 2011-12, and the party had a surprise showing in the 2013 local elections for the Delhi Assembly.
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Trinamool Congress Chairwoman Mamata Banerjee, with microphone, campaigns for Jadavpur TMC candidate Sugata Bose, left, and South Kolkata candidate Subrata Bakshi, center, with Mithun Chakraborty on May 10 in Kolkata.
India's election: The largest in history —
Trinamool Congress Chairwoman Mamata Banerjee, with microphone, campaigns for Jadavpur TMC candidate Sugata Bose, left, and South Kolkata candidate Subrata Bakshi, center, with Mithun Chakraborty on May 10 in Kolkata.
Subhankar Chakraborty/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Election workers in Leh check voting machines on Tuesday, May 6.
India's election: The largest in history —
Election workers in Leh check voting machines on Tuesday, May 6.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Election officers rest between parked trucks before proceeding to their polling stations May 6 in Allahabad, India.
India's election: The largest in history —
Election officers rest between parked trucks before proceeding to their polling stations May 6 in Allahabad, India.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP
A cow approaches electronic voting machines in Allahabad on May 6.
India's election: The largest in history —
A cow approaches electronic voting machines in Allahabad on May 6.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP
Supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) walk with party flags during an election campaign in Kolkata on Sunday, May 4.
India's election: The largest in history —
Supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) walk with party flags during an election campaign in Kolkata on Sunday, May 4.
Bikas Das/AP
Women and children attend an election rally in Amethi, India, on Saturday, May 3.
India's election: The largest in history —
Women and children attend an election rally in Amethi, India, on Saturday, May 3.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP
A police officer patrols during curfew in the Maisuma locality of Srinagar, India, on Friday, May 2.
India's election: The largest in history —
A police officer patrols during curfew in the Maisuma locality of Srinagar, India, on Friday, May 2.
TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images
A Kashmiri Muslim woman confronts Indian police after they arrested a youth during a protest in Srinagar on May 2.
India's election: The largest in history —
A Kashmiri Muslim woman confronts Indian police after they arrested a youth during a protest in Srinagar on May 2.
TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images
An Indian soldier stands in the middle of an empty Srinagar street Wednesday, April 30, following calls by rebels and separatist politicians to boycott the parliamentary elections.
India's election: The largest in history —
An Indian soldier stands in the middle of an empty Srinagar street Wednesday, April 30, following calls by rebels and separatist politicians to boycott the parliamentary elections.
Bernat Armangue/AP
A soldier helps voters locate their polling station in the village of Sultanwind, near Amritsar, India, on April 30.
India's election: The largest in history —
A soldier helps voters locate their polling station in the village of Sultanwind, near Amritsar, India, on April 30.
RAMINDER PAL SINGH/EPA /LANDOV
Election officials distribute electronic voting machines and other material to polling officials in Howrah, India, on Tuesday, April 29.
India's election: The largest in history —
Election officials distribute electronic voting machines and other material to polling officials in Howrah, India, on Tuesday, April 29.
Bikas Das/AP
Police conduct a security check Monday, April 28, before voting in Srinagar.
India's election: The largest in history —
Police conduct a security check Monday, April 28, before voting in Srinagar.
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A supporter listens to Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati during an election rally in Allahabad on Sunday, April 27.
India's election: The largest in history —
A supporter listens to Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati during an election rally in Allahabad on Sunday, April 27.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP
Kashmiri Muslims watch from a window as an Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard near the site of an explosion near the venue where an election campaign rally was to take place in downtown Srinagar on April 27.
India's election: The largest in history —
Kashmiri Muslims watch from a window as an Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard near the site of an explosion near the venue where an election campaign rally was to take place in downtown Srinagar on April 27.
ROUF BHAT/AFP/Getty Images
Sumaira Wani, wife of Zia-Ul-Haq, mourns by the body of her husband during his funeral in Hirpora, some 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of Srinagar on Friday, April 25. Zia, an Indian poll official, was killed soon after voting in the ongoing election, when suspected rebels fatally shot him and wounded four others in an attack on a bus in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.
India's election: The largest in history —
Sumaira Wani, wife of Zia-Ul-Haq, mourns by the body of her husband during his funeral in Hirpora, some 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of Srinagar on Friday, April 25. Zia, an Indian poll official, was killed soon after voting in the ongoing election, when suspected rebels fatally shot him and wounded four others in an attack on a bus in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.
Dar Yasin/AP
Unidentified relatives cry during the funeral procession of Zia-Ul-Haq in Hirpora on April 25.
India's election: The largest in history —
Unidentified relatives cry during the funeral procession of Zia-Ul-Haq in Hirpora on April 25.
Dar Yasin/AP
An Indian Punjab State Police officer stands in front of a picture of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during an election rally by the two men April 25 in Bathinda, India.
India's election: The largest in history —
An Indian Punjab State Police officer stands in front of a picture of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during an election rally by the two men April 25 in Bathinda, India.
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Indian women cast their vote at a village near Sawai Madhopur, India, on Thursday, April 24.
India's election: The largest in history —
Indian women cast their vote at a village near Sawai Madhopur, India, on Thursday, April 24.
Manish Swarup/AP
An Indian woman gives her thumb impression before casting her vote in a village near Sawai Madhopur on April 24.
India's election: The largest in history —
An Indian woman gives her thumb impression before casting her vote in a village near Sawai Madhopur on April 24.
Manish Swarup/A
A polling official carries electronic voting machines at a distribution center in Gauhati, India, on Wednesday, April 23.
India's election: The largest in history —
A polling official carries electronic voting machines at a distribution center in Gauhati, India, on Wednesday, April 23.
Anupam Nath/AP
A woman casts her vote on the outskirts of Jaipur, India, on Thursday, April 17.
India's election: The largest in history —
A woman casts her vote on the outskirts of Jaipur, India, on Thursday, April 17.
Bernat Armangue/AP
An elderly man casts his vote inside a polling station in Amroha, India, on April 17.
India's election: The largest in history —
An elderly man casts his vote inside a polling station in Amroha, India, on April 17.
Altaf Qadri/AP
A supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party shouts slogans during an election campaign rally on the outskirts of Srinagar on April 17. Several separatist organizations have jointly appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to boycott the Indian parliamentary elections.
India's election: The largest in history —
A supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party shouts slogans during an election campaign rally on the outskirts of Srinagar on April 17. Several separatist organizations have jointly appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to boycott the Indian parliamentary elections.
Mukhtar Khan/AP
A helicopter carrying Nagma, a Bollywood actress and Congress Party candidate from Meerut, takes off after an election rally on April 17.
India's election: The largest in history —
A helicopter carrying Nagma, a Bollywood actress and Congress Party candidate from Meerut, takes off after an election rally on April 17.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP
Women arrive to vote at a polling station on April 17, in the desert state of Rajasthan.
India's election: The largest in history —
Women arrive to vote at a polling station on April 17, in the desert state of Rajasthan.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
People stand in line to cast their votes in Jaipur on April 17.
India's election: The largest in history —
People stand in line to cast their votes in Jaipur on April 17.
Bernat Armangue/AP
A voter casts her ballot at a polling booth in Doda, India, on April 17.
India's election: The largest in history —
A voter casts her ballot at a polling booth in Doda, India, on April 17.
STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images
An Indian election official marks the finger of a voter with ink before she casts her ballot in Sambhar, India, on April 17.
India's election: The largest in history —
An Indian election official marks the finger of a voter with ink before she casts her ballot in Sambhar, India, on April 17.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
An election official checks an electronic voting machine before taking it to polling stations at a distribution center in Siliguri, India, on Wednesday, April 16.
India's election: The largest in history —
An election official checks an electronic voting machine before taking it to polling stations at a distribution center in Siliguri, India, on Wednesday, April 16.
DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images
An election official carries an electronic voting machine across a makeshift bridge after picking it up from a distribution center in Doda on April 16.
India's election: The largest in history —
An election official carries an electronic voting machine across a makeshift bridge after picking it up from a distribution center in Doda on April 16.
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Portraits of Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi, left, and Vice President Rahul Gandhi are seen at an election rally in Karimnagar, India, on April 16.
India's election: The largest in history —
Portraits of Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi, left, and Vice President Rahul Gandhi are seen at an election rally in Karimnagar, India, on April 16.
Mahesh Kumar A./AP
Security personnel load their luggage on a bus as they leave for various polling centers in Udhampur, India, on Tuesday, April 15.
India's election: The largest in history —
Security personnel load their luggage on a bus as they leave for various polling centers in Udhampur, India, on Tuesday, April 15.
Channi Anand/AP
A young girl watches an election campaign rally from her house in Rawalpora, India, on April 15.
India's election: The largest in history —
A young girl watches an election campaign rally from her house in Rawalpora, India, on April 15.
Dar Yasin/AP
Supporters of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party dance during a campaign rally in Udhampur on April 15.
India's election: The largest in history —
Supporters of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party dance during a campaign rally in Udhampur on April 15.
Channi Anand/AP
A worker arranges masks of Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Narendra Modi at a printing press in Ahmedabad, India, on Saturday, April 12.
India's election: The largest in history —
A worker arranges masks of Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Narendra Modi at a printing press in Ahmedabad, India, on Saturday, April 12.
Ajit Solanki/AP
A woman carries her child and waits for her identity to be checked before voting in Diphu, India, on April 12.
India's election: The largest in history —
A woman carries her child and waits for her identity to be checked before voting in Diphu, India, on April 12.
Anupam Nath/AP
Rahul Gandhi, one of the leading candidates for prime minister, waves to supporters in Amethi, India, as he arrives to file his nomination on April 12.
India's election: The largest in history —
Rahul Gandhi, one of the leading candidates for prime minister, waves to supporters in Amethi, India, as he arrives to file his nomination on April 12.
Arun Sharma/Hindustan Times/Getty Images
Congress Party supporters hold flags as they walk home from a Gandhi rally April 12 in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
India's election: The largest in history —
Congress Party supporters hold flags as they walk home from a Gandhi rally April 12 in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP
Gaurav Shrinivas Sharma, a climber nicknamed Indian Spiderman, campaigns in Mumbai, India, on Friday, April 11. Sharma is an independent candidate from the South Mumbai constituency.
India's election: The largest in history —
Gaurav Shrinivas Sharma, a climber nicknamed Indian Spiderman, campaigns in Mumbai, India, on Friday, April 11. Sharma is an independent candidate from the South Mumbai constituency.
Rajesh Kumar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
People in Doda wave as a helicopter carrying Gandhi leaves after a campaign rally on April 11.
India's election: The largest in history —
People in Doda wave as a helicopter carrying Gandhi leaves after a campaign rally on April 11.
Channi Anand/AP
Indian Muslims wait outside a polling booth to cast their votes on Thursday, April 10.
India's election: The largest in history —
Indian Muslims wait outside a polling booth to cast their votes on Thursday, April 10.
Altaf Qadri/AP
A paramilitary soldier stands guard inside a room containing ballot boxes on April 10.
India's election: The largest in history —
A paramilitary soldier stands guard inside a room containing ballot boxes on April 10.
Biswaranjan Rout/AP
A woman casts her vote in Muzaffarnagar, India, on April 10.
India's election: The largest in history —
A woman casts her vote in Muzaffarnagar, India, on April 10.
Altaf Qadri/AP
Voters wait for their identities to be verified before casting their ballots April 10 in Haryana, India.
India's election: The largest in history —
Voters wait for their identities to be verified before casting their ballots April 10 in Haryana, India.
Saurabh Das/AP
A woman points out her photo before casting her vote in New Delhi on April 10.
India's election: The largest in history —
A woman points out her photo before casting her vote in New Delhi on April 10.
Manish Swarup/AP
Jyoti Amge, a first-time voter and the world's shortest woman according to Guinness World Records, gets her finger marked with ink after voting in Nagpur, India, on April 10.
India's election: The largest in history —
Jyoti Amge, a first-time voter and the world's shortest woman according to Guinness World Records, gets her finger marked with ink after voting in Nagpur, India, on April 10.
stringer/AP
A woman is given directions by a polling station officer in Haryana on April 10.
India's election: The largest in history —
A woman is given directions by a polling station officer in Haryana on April 10.
Saurabh Das/AP
Voters leave a polling station in Muzaffarnagar on April 10.
India's election: The largest in history —
Voters leave a polling station in Muzaffarnagar on April 10.
Altaf Qadri/AP
A polling officer checks the number of an electronic voting machine after it was deposited in Senapati, India, on Wednesday, April 9.
India's election: The largest in history —
A polling officer checks the number of an electronic voting machine after it was deposited in Senapati, India, on Wednesday, April 9.
Anupam Nath/AP
A polling official marks a voter's finger with ink in Senapati on April 9.
India's election: The largest in history —
A polling official marks a voter's finger with ink in Senapati on April 9.
Anupam Nath/AP
An elderly man casts his vote in Manipur, India, on April 9.
India's election: The largest in history —
An elderly man casts his vote in Manipur, India, on April 9.
Anupam Nath/AP
An official checks a voter's identity card in Agartala, India, on Monday, April 7.
India's election: The largest in history —
An official checks a voter's identity card in Agartala, India, on Monday, April 7.
Saurabh Das/AP
People wait in lines to cast their votes in Agartala on April 7.
India's election: The largest in history —
People wait in lines to cast their votes in Agartala on April 7.
Saurabh Das/AP
An election official checks the identity of a voter on April 7.
India's election: The largest in history —
An election official checks the identity of a voter on April 7.
Saurabh Das/AP
A woman with a baby casts her vote inside a polling center at Misamora Sapori, an island in the Brahmaputra River, on April 7.
India's election: The largest in history —
A woman with a baby casts her vote inside a polling center at Misamora Sapori, an island in the Brahmaputra River, on April 7.
Anupam Nath/AP
Rahul Gandhi addresses supporters during an election rally in Bangalore, India, on April 7. Gandhi's great-grandfather, grandmother and father have all served as prime minister.
India's election: The largest in history —
Rahul Gandhi addresses supporters during an election rally in Bangalore, India, on April 7. Gandhi's great-grandfather, grandmother and father have all served as prime minister.
Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images
Running against Gandhi is Narendra Modi, chief minister of the western state of Gujarat with a reputation as a tough, "can-do" administrator.
India's election: The largest in history —
Running against Gandhi is Narendra Modi, chief minister of the western state of Gujarat with a reputation as a tough, "can-do" administrator.
Tsering Topgyal/AP
Indians in Dibrugarh stand in a line to cast their vote on April 7.
India's election: The largest in history —
Indians in Dibrugarh stand in a line to cast their vote on April 7.
Altaf Qadri/AP
An election officer uses ink to mark a voter's finger at a polling station in Dibrugarh on April 7.
India's election: The largest in history —
An election officer uses ink to mark a voter's finger at a polling station in Dibrugarh on April 7.
DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images
A polling officer in Agartala looks for a voter's name in the registered voter list April 7.
India's election: The largest in history —
A polling officer in Agartala looks for a voter's name in the registered voter list April 7.
Saurabh Das/AP
A polling official in Dibrugarh tests an electronic voting machine prior to the start of voting April 7.
India's election: The largest in history —
A polling official in Dibrugarh tests an electronic voting machine prior to the start of voting April 7.
DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images
People wait in line to cast their votes during the first phase of voting in Dibrugarh.
India's election: The largest in history —
People wait in line to cast their votes during the first phase of voting in Dibrugarh.
Altaf Qadri/AP
Women voters wait outside a polling station in Dibrugarh on April 7.
India's election: The largest in history —
Women voters wait outside a polling station in Dibrugarh on April 7.
DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images