Modi declares victory for ruling party in state elections

New Delhi

INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday declared victory for his party in two state elections, including a closely-fought race in his stronghold of Gujarat where the charismatic leader fronted the campaign.

Mr Modi thanked voters in Gujarat, his home state of around 60 million in India's west, and in the northern Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, for backing the ruling Hindu national party in the polls.