Modi takes victory laps, taunts Congress on defeat

"We have heard about coalitions to form government but now we have a situation where they need alliance for opposition," Modi said in Varanasi after he offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, referring to the party's unprecedented, poor show.

In New Delhi, the BJP office was converted in a fortress, but it could do little to keep the party workers and supporters away who kept gathering outside the premise, dancing to the tune of bands playing on the cordoned, decorated road.

In a message of peace, Modi released a bunch of white balloons here, as rose petals were showered in welcome.

Modi attended a meeting of party's parliamentary board of the party, which decided to meet May 20 to formally elect him as its leader.

"It is a mere formality, there is no need to tell who will be elected," Rajnath Singh said after the meeting, which was attended by veteran party leader L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Murli Manohar Joshi, Arun Jaitley, M. Venkaiah Naidu, and Amit Shah along with others.

The BJP president also said after the meeting, they would call a meeting of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies.