While the BJP was predicted to win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, PM Narendra Modi argued that party cadre should work harder and with greater dedication to win the favour of the populace rather than becoming complacent.
“Don’t be a victim of overconfidence. People are already saying that no one can defeat BJP in 2024. This is true, but as a BJP worker, one has to win the heart of every citizen. As workers of the BJP, we should not limit ourselves to winning elections. We should work to win the hearts of people,” the PM said while addressing workers to mark the BJP's foundation day.
The exhortation, where he blended confidence with caution, came on a day when BJP kicked off its election campaign for the Lok Sabha polls with the slogan “Ek baar phir se Modi sarkar, ek baar phir se Bhajpa sarkaar” - a move that coincided with uncertainty in the opposition camp on the formation of a ‘secular front’ and who should lead it and is aimed at securing a march over the opponents. There were other indications of the party getting off the block and slipping into campaign mode, with central ministers being instructed to spend a full month in the states beginning May 15.
In his speech, Modi rebuked arrogance head-on and made it plain that he didn't want a repetition of the 2004 elections, when the party lost despite entering the race as the clear favourite due to complacency and poor tactical decisions. “We have to fight each election with the same level of energy and hard work that we have been doing since the 1980s. I firmly believe that the devotion, dedication and strength of our karyakartas and our mantra of 'Nation First' will continue to inspire us,” he said.