Narendra Modi has once again declared victory in India's national elections, ready to embark on his third consecutive term as Prime Minister. With all the pageantry and self-congratulations that one might expect from an electoral win, there's just one tiny detail that's playing the party pooper: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to be grappling with an unexpected game of 'Where's Waldo?' but with parliamentary seats instead (CNN, Sky).

The BJP fell short of the magical 272 seats needed to claim an outright majority. For a party that prides itself on winning, it's a little like coming first in a marathon only to realize you’ve tied your shoelaces together. But fear not, Modi has his magnifying glass ready and will likely form a coalition government with his National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners (CNN, Sky).

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India's National Congress, couldn’t help but chime in. According to him, the early election results are akin to the country flashing a neon 'No Vacancy' sign at Modi and his cadre (CNN). The opposition managed to chip away at BJP's seats, even in traditional strongholds, with Congress set to double the number of seats they won in 2019. Clearly, someone in the opposition found the secret recipe, even if it's just more cowbell (CNN).

Polling an impressive turnout, approximately 970 million people were eligible to vote. With an average turnout of around 66% across the seven phases of the election, it's evident that democracy in India is alive and kicking, albeit sometimes in controversial directions (Sky).

Indian political commentator Arati R Jerath noted that the BJP's return to coalition governance will almost certainly bring back the "good old days" of bargaining in Indian politics (Sky). Think of it as an intricate dance, but rather than ballet, it's more like a crowded club dance-off.

According to Milan Vaishnav from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, BJP's failure to secure an outright majority places them in uncharted territory (Sky). Chess pieces will be moved, alliances formed, and probably a threesome of WhatsApp groups created to scheme the path forward.

Modi’s leadership has transformed India into a global powerhouse, rivaling economic giants like China. Yet, this growth comes with strings attached, namely significant inequality and a deeply divided populace—both religiously and economically (Sky). Imagine holding a massive party where everyone’s invited, but some guests have to access the prime rib buffet through a window.

Of course, while Modi celebrates, human rights watchdogs are having a less festive time, classifying India as a 'hybrid regime' under his stewardship (Sky). Somewhere out there, a political science professor is furiously editing next semester's syllabus to include the rise of hybrid regimes in big democracies.

As the dust settles, it’s clear that Modi's path forward won't be an easy stroll through New Delhi's gardens. The opposition is energized, the seats are playing hide and seek, and the country remains as polarized as ever. For now, the only certainty in Indian politics is that there is no certainty. But one thing's for sure: Narendra Modi is poised for another term, armed with coalition tactics, economic strategies, and probably a set of extremely comfy shoes. He’s going to need them.