"The opposition is unable to come to power and hence they are indulging in defaming India on the international stage," he said in an interview to the English daily Times of India published on Monday.

"They are spreading canards about our people, our democracy and our institutions," he charged.

Modi, 73, remains popular after two terms in office during which India has expanded its diplomatic clout and economic heft.

Political analysts predict a general election victory for him in a staggered vote that ends on June 1.

Modi has led his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to victories in 2014 and 2019, using religious appeals to galvanise Hindu voters.

"India is not going to become an electoral autocracy because the 'Yuvraj' (crown prince) cannot come to power automatically," Modi said in the interview, in an apparent reference to Rahul Gandhi, 53, the leader of the main opposition Congress party and scion of a dynasty of Indian prime ministers.

The opposition and rights activists have decried democratic backsliding and criticised Modi's appeals to India's majority Hindu faith to the detriment of large minorities, including India's 210 million Muslims.

Modi's government has also been accused of using the justice system to neutralise some opposition leaders.

Since Modi came to power in 2014, India has fallen 21 places on the World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and now ranks 161st out of 180 countries.

Turnout in the general election has so far been lower than in 2019.

Indian media have blamed this on soaring temperatures.

Analysts quoted by Agence France-Presse said the seemingly assured victory for Modi's party may also be demotivating voters.

The Times of India said Modi was confident that the BJP and its allies would win more than 400 of the 543 seats in the Indian parliament.

"Wherever I go, I am getting unprecedented love, affection and support," the prime minister said. 

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