January 10, 2025 04:13 pm (IST)
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An 'emotional' Modi heads for government
Mumbai, May 20 (IBNS): Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi on Tuesday displayed an emotional and even teary allegiance to his seniors and the nation, presenting an uncharacteristically benign self as he drew closer to forming his government.
A choked-up Modi thanked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for being elected as the Leader of the Parliamentary Board of the party and being endorsed for the Prime Minister's post.
"Please don't use the word 'kripa' while talking about me, Advaniji," Modi said, addressing the veteran who was seated near him and formally proposed his name for the post.
Advani, who once had revolted against Modi's rise, too was seen breaking down while embracing the Prime Minister designate moments after party MPs endorsed his proposal to name him their leader.
"I have a weakness..,. I am prone to tears. I thank the party and Narendra Modi for doing the kripa of letting me witness an unforgettable moment in our history," said the 86-year-old, explaining why he cried.
The praise prompted an emotional Modi to respond, "Advani ji said I did him kripa. Please don't use this word. Can a son ever do his mother kripa? The party is my mother, it has done me the favour of giving me an opportunity to serve it."
"You see Modi not because Modi's stature is large. You See Modi because party elders hoisted me on their shoulders," said Modi to an audience of senior party leaders, many of whom looked equally moved.
Earlier in the day the 63-year-old Modi bowed deep and touched the ground with his forehead while entering the Parliament House building.
He began his half-hour speech in the historic central hall on an emotional note and said, "Had Atal Bihari Vajpayee been well, his presence would have completed this moment."
"We're here not for posts but to represent the aspirations of 125 crore people. Fulfilling my responsibility is the main thing," Modi said in his speech.
"I believe a government should think about the poor, listen to their problems. The new government is dedicated to the poor of India, the crores of youth and the women of India," Modi said.
"When we meet in 2019, I will give you and my countrymen a report card... I will live for India," he added.
Narendra Modi-led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to a historic win against the Congress winning a whopping 336 seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election.
(Reporting by Divyanshu Dutta Roy in New Delhi)
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