Constituents of 29-party National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Tuesday chose Narendra Modi as their leader hailing him as “strong” personality with “extraordinary capabilities” under whom the country will prosper and attain a major stature in the world.
In his brief acceptance speech, Mr. Modi said even though BJP got a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha polls, NDA allies will be as important for him as they would have been without it.
Gathered in the historic Central Hall of Parliament, leaders of NDA constituents, including TDP, Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, LJP and Nagaland Peoples’ Front, praised Mr. Modi stewardship and reposed confidence in him. Haryana Janhit Party chief Kuldeep Singh Bishnoi was conspicuous by his absence.
TDP chief and former NDA convenor Chandrababu Naidu said under Mr. Modi’s Prime Ministership, India will find a place among the world powers with “real competition” being with the US and China.
“In this nation building activity, we are one partner with Narendra Modi. We extend on behalf of TDP all cooperation for his great job in cleaning the country and also developing the nation,” he said.
“I have seen so many leaders, but his determination, and also enthusiasm in doing things is extraordinary,” he said.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, while expressing his party’s support, said for 25 years, it has just been a struggle for the BJP-led alliance and now “good days have commenced.”
LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan said the “miracle” of NDA getting so many seats in the Lok Sabha polls was possible only because Mr. Modi was projected as the prime ministerial candidate.
He said the responsibility was “not a garland of flowers but a crown of thorns” and it was important to deliver on promises in a time-bound manner.
