Modi declares victory in India's first coronavirus election as cases soar in country's capital

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed victory in the country's first major state election held during the pandemic. Results from the Election Commission of India show that Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its coalition partners have returned to power after a tight race for control of the legislative assembly in Bihar, the country's third most populous state with more than 100 million people. 'Democracy has once again prevailed in Bihar with the blessings of the people,' Modi tweeted Tuesday local time, as results rolled in from Bihar's legislative election. 'I assure every citizen of Bihar that we will continue to work for the equal development of every region and for every person.'