Modi promises an inclusive India as BJP storms back to power | BJP+ 350 CONG+ 85 Others 107

Every moment, every fibre of my being devoted to India, vows PM

JAMMU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set for his second term in country’s top post as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—riding on his popularity and the nationalism wave—has once again stormed to a massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections, bigger than its 2014 showing, leaving the opposition dazed and demoralized.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) looks certain to cross 350 seats in the 542-strong lower house of Parliament, even as the saffron party itself is on course to win 303 seats (257 confirmed at the time of filing this report), crossing by a significant margin the majority mark of 272 seats.

In second consecutive parliament trashing, the Congress –led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is leading on 85 seats, with the grand old party having won meager 40 seats and leading on 12 others, thus reduced to 52 seats, which is only 8 seats more than 2014 elections.

Accepting the resounding poll victory, Modi in his victory speech promised that he will not work with "bad intentions" and that he would like to move ahead by taking everyone along, leaving behind the bitterness witnessed during the Lok Sabha campaign.

“Sabka Sath+ Sabka Vikas+ Sabka vishwas= Vijayi Bharat (With all+ development for all+ everybody's confidence = victorious India)," Modi tweeted before the speech.

"Together we grow. Together we prosper. Together we will build a strong and inclusive India. India wins yet again," he wrote.

Addressing the victory celebration at the party headquarters later in the evening, Modi also vowed to devote "every moment" of his time and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India and said the country will now have only two castes -- the poor and those who want to alleviate poverty.

He said that the mandate won by the BJP-led coalition was the biggest development in the democratic world and reflected an abiding strength in democracy.

In a rousing speech, Modi told cheering supporters that the election has thrown up a mandate to build a new India.

"People are chanting Modi, Modi. But this is not a victory of Modi, it is the victory of people who are desperate for honesty in the system," Modi said.

“This is the victory of toiling farmers who struggle to feed the nation, this is the victory of those who now live in proper houses, this is the victory of the middle class which follows the rules, pays taxes, but wondered if his taxes were being used for the benefit of the country,” he said.

"With bigger mandate, comes greater responsibility...I will not do anything with bad intention and will do nothing for myself.

"Who said what during the election campaign, for me it is past. We have to look to the future. We have to take everyone along in national interest. And despite such a majority, we will move with humility," Modi said.

"In 2014, not many knew me. But you gave me a mandate. But in 2019, you gave me more strength after knowing me. I can understand the sentiment behind this. Increase in trust leads to increase in responsibilty," he added.

In a virtual address to the nation, the Prime Minister promised that in the coming days, he would do nothing with bad intentions.

"While working, there can be mistakes but I will not anything with bad intention. I will not do anything for myself.

“Third thing, every second of my time, every part of body is only for the nation. You keep judging me on these three parameters and criticise me if I do not measure up. But I want to assure you that whatever I say publicly, I will work to implement it," he said.

Promising to take everyone along including the states, Modi said a government is formed by majority which has been done. "But the nation moves with consensus and democractic spirit."

Modi said he will take his critics along with humility.

"The people have filled the bag of this ascetic. I bow my head to 130 crore people of the country," he said.

Amid chants of ‘Modi-Modi,’ the prime minister said the results have “unmasked” the faces of political parties who wore the masks of secularism. Adding that it was a long journey from “do (two parliaments) to dobara (second term),” Narendra Modi called it a “victory of democracy.”

“This is not the victory of Modi but the victory of citizens desperate for honesty in governance. People who have played in the name of caste for years have been given a strong response. Today, India has only two castes – those who are poor and those who want to eradicate poverty,” he added.

Modi in a lighter vein said, “Today even Meghraj (the Rain God) has joined us in our celebration.” It was raining in the national capital in the evening.

With the BJP set to return to power, the party's offices across the country wore a festive look with slogans of 'Modi, Modi' rending the air as jubilant workers danced and distributed sweets in celebration.

No sooner the picture emerged about the astounding performance of the BJP in the afternoon, party workers started gathering at the New Delhi headquarters on Deendayal Upadhyaya Marg atop which the saffron flag fluttered in the air.

Many supporters, most wearing saffron clothes, burst crackers infront of the office, danced and distributed 'ladoos' and slogans of 'Modi, Modi' and 'Jai Shri Ram' reverberated in the air.

As poll result trends continued to trickle in late afternoon, a swarm of party workers and supports which gathered at the headquarters either danced in the courtyard many wearing t-shirts bearing messages like 'NaMo Again', 'Chowkidar Phir Se', 'Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar' or offered sweets to each other.

Inside the headquarters, the mood was particularly festive as supporters, which came from far and near, joined in the celebrations as cut-outs of Modi and BJP president Amit Shah swung in the air.

RSS ideologue and BJP MP Rakesh Sinha, who was present at the headquarters, hailed the results as a "victory of Modi and his vision" and attributed it to a "silent Modi wave".

"This is a consolidation of Modi-ism. And Nehruvism has now been completely replaced by Modi-ism. It is mandate to Modi, his actions and his vision," Sinha told.

Shah arrived at the BJP headquarters in the evening even as a stampede-like situation arose after a large crowd that had gathered there went berserk in excitement.

Modi arrived after Shah amid light drizzle around 7:11 pm and flashed victory signs with both hands to acknowledge the stellar win the party was inching to.

Earlier in the day, a song called 'Main Bhi Chowkidar Hun' played through loudspeakers as people rejoiced and danced.

Several supporters held placards, like the one which read 'Best PM forever PM. 2014-2019. 2019-2024. 2024-2029'.

In the courtyard of the headquarters, a massive poster was put up bearing image of Modi's roadshow in Varanasi ahead of polling with a message - 'Will return your blessings with interest by working twice as much'.

Amid rejoicing crowd, some wore Modi masks while others held cut-outs of the prime minister with a message -- 'Singham Returns'.

One of the supporters held a placard that read -- 'Ghar ghar bhagwa chhaya hai, Ram rajya ab aaya hai'.