After huge win, next Indian PM begins victory lap

NEW DELHI — Thousands of cheering supporters have welcomed India's next prime minister on his arrival in the capital after leading his party to a staggering victory in national elections.

Standing on the footboard of his SUV, Narendra Modi flashed a victory sign as he drove past jubilant supporters outside the New Delhi airport on Saturday. He is scheduled to meet leaders of his Bharatiya Janata Party to discuss the formation of a new government.

His BJP wiped out the Congress party that has long dominated the country's politics.

The victory parade comes a day after the party crossed the 272-seat majority needed to create a government without forming a coalition with smaller parties. By Saturday morning, of the 517 seats declared, the BJP had won 278 seats and led in four more.