Narendra Modi's party takes major win in crucial India vote

March 11 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party won a landslide victory in India's largest states on Saturday, boosting his power halfway through his first term and positioning him for a 2019 re-election win.

The Bharatiya Janata Party took victories in Uttar Pradesh, home to some 200 million people, and the smaller Uttarakhan. Modi led campaigns against the rival Samajwadi and Bahujan Samaj parties, promising to bring growth and modernization and to sniff out corruption.

"Am overjoyed that BJP has received unprecedented support from all sections of society. Huge support from the youth is gladdening," Modi said on Twitter.

The victory in Uttar Pradesh was by the largest margin seen by any party in more than three decades and gave Modi a boost for the 2019 national elections. It underscores public support for Modi, which came into question after he recalled high-currency rupees in November in an effort to fight corruption.