As predicted by everyone, Narendra Modi has won the election and is India’s new Prime Minister.

Some essential background on the Indian elections here, by John Oliver on HBO (because American news media FAIL):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZDYsSOngik

Modi won with substantial support of Muslims in India, despite his role in the Gujrat riots. I hope that Modi takes that lesson of forgiveness and trust to heart as he governs for all of India, not just the majority.

The flip side is Rahul Gandhi, who was probably the most anemic candidate that Congress could have fielded. Watch Gandhi’s disastrous interview by TV host Arnab Goswani and you will see how unprepared he was:

(the full transcript is here and it’s as painful to read as it is to watch)

and compare Goswani’s interview with Gandhi to his interview with Modi:

It’s no wonder Modi destroyed Gandhi. And frankly I don’t see how a dynastic, inefective candidate like Gandhi would have been any better for India. At best he would have perpetuated the status quo; at worst he would have exacerbated the worst instincts of Indian politics towards corruption and waste and bureaucratic inertia.

Modi was always going to win. The future of India is in his hands. Let’s hope that having achieved his ambition, he now can focus on his legacy and can resist the calls of Hindu nationalism to create their version of paradise. Modi is Muslims’ prime minister, too.