With floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his new and the most challenging political innings on Monday and eventually became the first Prime Minister to visit Rajghat before taking oath in the history of Independent India.
Before taking oath as Prime Minister of India, Modi visited Rajghat in the morning, paid tributes and later drove to Krishna Menon Marg residence of BJP icon and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to seek his blessing. All elected lok Sabha members from Delhi along with other senior leaders were also present when Modi paid his pre-declared visit.
Modi reached Rajghat from Gujarat Bhavan around 7.40 am and spent nearly 15 minutes at the Gandhi Samadhi. He offered floral tributes at the memorial and sat in the lawns with his party colleagues. A number of Delhi BJP leaders, including Chandni Chowk MP Harsh Vardhan, Rajya Sabha MPs Vijay Goel and Prabhat Jha, former Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta, former Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra, and many others accompanied him.
Officials at Rajghat informed that Modi was the first politician ever who visited Rajghat before taking oath of office and secrecy before becoming the Prime Minister. They also informed that the President of India Pranab Mukherjee had also paid homage at Bapu’s memorial before swearing-in as the President. Generally the Prime Ministers visit Gandhi Memorial at Rajghat after taking charge but this was the first occasion when Prime Minister-designate paid his respects to the Mahatma before taking oath. Even Arvind Kejriwal had visited Rajghat before taking oath as Delhi’s CM.