Slim majority for BJP poses challenges to reforms agenda, say Rating agencies

Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Ratings speak about implication of Modi-led BFP losing its majority

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The BJP losing its outright majority and now having to rely on allies to form a government may delay more far-reaching elements of economic and fiscal reforms like land and labour and impede progress on fiscal consolidation, global rating agencies said on Wednesday.

Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Ratings in separate notes spoke about the implication of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP losing its majority for the first time since 2014, winning 240 seats in the 543-seat Lok Sabha. BJP now plans to form a government with smaller parties in the National Democratic Alliance, which won another 53 seats, giving the alliance a 293-seat majority.

“It appears the BJP-led NDA is likely to form the next government, returning Prime Minister Modi for a third term, but with a weakened majority that could pose challenges for the more ambitious elements of the government’s reform agenda,” Fitch said.