After the election heat has subsided, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the meeting of NDA MPs and said that minorities had long been made to live in fear by those who believed in vote bank politics and that this deception needs to end to take everyone along. “Unfortunately, the minorities of this country have been kept in fear, used in elections. We have to end this cycle,” PM Modi said.
He accused the opposition parties of keeping the minorities confused and frightened, instead of working on the improvement of education and health among them. He invoked the spirit of 1857’s first war of independence, saying all communities had joined hands for independence and a similar movement should be started for good governance now.
Emphasizing the need to win the trust of all sections, Modi said, “We have worked for ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas,’ now we have to strive for ‘sabka vishwas’.” Modi reiterated the importance of coalition politics saying “BJP is 300 plus but we shall work together with the NDA partners in future,” and added, “The credit for good work will go to all allies and I will take blame for blemishes.” He floated the slogan of “NARA - National Ambition Regional Aspiration” - saying that a balance between the two will be key to the country’s progress and it can only be accomplished with the support of the regional parties.
Set for a second term as Prime Minister, Modi said his government will now begin “a new journey to build a new India with new energy” and asked newly elected MPs of the NDA to work without any discrimination, including on the basis of faith and castes.
He said the 2019 elections have worked towards breaking down walls and connecting hearts. “In a way they had become a way to unite society... This gave a new height to these elections. People have started a new era and all of us are witness to it,” the PM said, in a counter to commentaries that his election will divide people.
In his over-75-minute address, Modi urged Mps to shun “VIP culture”. He touched the feet of BJP veteran L K Advani as Parkash Singh Badal, Amit Shah, MM Joshi, Uddhav Thackeray and Nitin Gadkari look on, at the parliamentary party meeting
Modi: 2019 victory is powered by Gujarat growth story
Crediting Gujarat for the thumping victory in the Lok Sabha election, Modi said that the growth story of his home state had reached every nook and corner of the country even before the 2014 win. Calling 2019 as the most historic election since independence, Modi said unlike in the past, he had predicted with conviction that BJP would win over 300 seats.
“In 2014, journalists often asked me the number of seats BJP would win. But I avoided those questions and merely replied using good adjectives. This time, I announced publicly that we would win over 300 seats, but some people mocked at this number,” the PM said.
He also said that modesty, discipline and politeness are a must to digest this win. “This huge victory has brought along a greater responsibility. We need modesty, discipline and politeness to digest this victory. I see next five years as crucial and important time not only for Gujarat but also for the entire world. This is an opportunity for another renaissance that will make India a 'Vishwa Guru' (global leader)’’, he added. Stating that people have voted for development, prosperity, safety and security, Modi said that pro-incumbency votes were cast in this election to re-elect the government. Referring to the second clean sweep in Gujarat, Modi said, “Vijaybhai (Rupani) told me that going by the victory in all 26 seats, BJP can now win around 173 seats (out of 182) in the state assembly.”
Grass-root workers hailed for his victory in Varanasi
Chemistry has triumphed over poll arithmetic, Modi said profusely thanking the voters of Varanasi for his landslide victory in the elections. “Political analysts will have to accept that beyond poll arithmetic there is a chemistry,” he told party workers on his first visit to his constituency after his resounding victory, which was by a higher margin this time.
“For the country I am the PM, but for you I am your MP, I am your sevak,” he said. Giving full credit for his victory to the workers at the grassroots level, PM said, “Work and workers create wonders”, for creating awareness about his government’s policies and programmes for the people.
Modi also spoke about the importance of “perfect synergy” between the government and the party. Modi, who also offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Flanked by party president Amit Shah and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Modi entered the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and paid obeisance to the deity as priests recited Sanskrit ‘shlokas’ in the sanctum sanctorum and blew conch shells.
