Stating that the landslide repeat mandate has surprised the whole world and put forward a “new narrative” for India for waging a decisive battle against poverty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday promised that he would go all-out to live up to the “big trust” reposed on him by the people. The PM said he would carry all political parties along to make the country prosperous and strong.
Modi, who walked into the BJP headquarters in the evening along with party chief Amit Shah to a tumultuous welcome with thousands of workers chanting “Modi-Modi”, “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram’, said the ultimate victor in the elections are people of India who “fought the polls”.
He said political pundits will have to re-visit their tools to analyse the repeat “prachand bahumat” (massive mandate)” saying “this is new India”.
Taking a dig at political parties deriving their sustenance from the “tag of secularism”, Modi said they were silenced by the big political victory of BJP in 2014. “2014 tak us jamat ne bolna band kar diya”, he said saying they were “de-masked”.
Vowing that he would go beyond caste-based considerations, the Prime Minister said, “Caste-based political parties received a big shock this election”, adding, “with the spirit which prevailed during freedom movement we can remove poverty during 2019 to 24”.
Detailing his welfare schemes which fulfilled aspirations of youth, farmers, labourers and middle-class, Modi said his Government would fast-track its war against poverty next five-year. Taking a dig at Left parties and their alleged commitment to the welfare of workers, he said the BJP Government provided pension to 40 crore labourers in the unorganised sector.
Even as Shah in his address to workers directly attacked dynasty, caste and politics of appeasement and the setback they got in the poll results, the Prime Minister said he would let go of what happened during polls and run the Government with the consensus of all.
“Governments are formed by majority but run by consensus of all”, he said adding “we have to look ahead” and taken even our political rivals with us for making India a prosperous and strong country.
Thanking all party workers for their “selfless work”, Modi said “aapne is fakir ki jholi bhar di” and it is time “I fulfil my promises”. In 2014, he said people did not know him but trusted and “now you trusted after knowing me”.
Shah, in his speech, said BJP won more than 50 per cent votes in 17 States including in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He said this (50 per cent) vote was achieved by shaking up the traditional caste calculations.
He said Congress “ko karari haar mili hai” and pointed out that Congress has collected a big zero in 17 States including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir , Manipur, Mizoram, Lakshadweep and Chandigarh.
“The 50 per cent mandate today buried Congress and Opposition’s caste, dynasty, appeasement politics”, he said.
Shah said Opposition’s defeat and a big win for the BJP underlines the victory of the ideology of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” vis-à-vis “ Tukde-tukde gang”.
BJP headquarters Deendayal Upadhyaya Marg wore a festive look with constant beating of drums and sounds of fire crackers.
No sooner as the picture emerged about the astounding performance of the BJP, party workers started gathering at the headquarters atop which the saffron flag fluttered in the air.
