"Modi Seeks Third Term as India Begins World's Largest Election"

India begins voting in the world's largest election, with nearly 970 million voters electing 543 members to the lower house of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a rare third term, facing a tough challenge from a broad opposition alliance. The election is seen as a referendum on Modi's Hindu nationalist politics and economic development, with critics warning of growing illiberalism and threats to India's secular roots. The BJP hopes to secure a landslide win, while the opposition alliance promises to arrest what it sees as a democratic slide under Modi's rule.