There are only two castes in India now, says Mr Modi. "The poor and those who want to work to bring them out of poverty," he says. "We need to empower both."

There had been speculation that the woes of India's farmers - low prices, debts and a crop glut - might have hurt the governing party in this election.

But in the wake of his crushing victory, the PM paid tribute to India's hundreds of millions of farmers.

"This success is for the farmers who sweat in order to feed their children. They are the people who are successful," he said.

"This success is for the homeless, and they will have proper houses in the coming years.

"It’s the people who have won, we dedicate this victory humbly to the citizens of this country."