The world’s greatest exercise in democracy has ended by returning an aspiring autocrat to power. Narendra Modi last week won his second term as India’s prime minister in a landslide victory that underscores the wave of populism currently sweeping much of the world.
This election was described by Mr Modi’s vanquished opponents as a battle for the “soul” and “idea” of India. The result must serve as a call to arms for liberal Indian voices so poorly served by the political opposition.
It is hard not to admire Mr Modi’s charisma and the near-total political dominance he enjoys in India today. He is a mesmerising orator and relentless campaigner who managed to transform this parliamentary election into a semi-presidential referendum on his personal style.