BJP to announce fresh Modi term

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India's Hindu nationalist BJP is due to announce that Narendra Modi will continue as chief minister of Gujarat state after winning a key state poll.

Mr Modi's BJP won 117 of 182 seats in the state assembly. Its main rival, the Congress party, won 59 seats.

The chief minister is set to begin a third term after Sunday's win.

Correspondents say the BJP's victory in Gujarat will boost the party as it challenges Congress ahead of a general election due in the next 18 months.

State party leaders are due to meet in Gujarat to elect Mr Modi as the leader of the legislative party, paving the way for him to continue as the chief minister.

'Historic'

Mr Modi is expected to be sworn in on Thursday.

It is the fourth consecutive BJP election victory in Gujarat.

The Congress party acknowledged its defeat in the state, but reminded voters of religious riots in 2002.

Mr Modi has been accused of failing to protect Muslims in the riots, which claimed the lives of 1,000 people.

Analysts say Mr Modi, who is credited with pursuing successful economic policies, had turned the election into a referendum for himself and defied local party chiefs.

Indian newspapers variously described Mr Modi's victory as "historic" and "triumphant".

The Times of India said: "He has led the BJP to its fourth consecutive win in Gujarat defying anti-incumbency factors and a rebellion within the party."

The Congress party campaigned hard to defeat him, with major rallies by its top leaders including Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul, the latest member of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty in Indian politics.

But their defeat means that it is back to the drawing board and a major setback ahead of the more important national poll, the BBC's Sanjoy Majumderin Delhi says.