True to its pre-poll claim, the BJP made a clean sweep of Gujarat, winning all 26 parliamentary constituencies in the State. Narendra Modi — the man behind the moment — proved yet again that as he conquered new territory outside Gujarat, he grew in strength in his home State, his popularity touching new heights.
“India has won! Bharat ki Vijay. Ache din ane wale hai [good days are ahead],” Mr. Modi tweeted as the trends of a BJP victory became clear.
He preferred to stay away from the limelight at his official residence in Gandhinagar on Friday morning. Later he drove down to his brother Pankaj Modi’s house in the same district and sought the blessings of his mother Hirabai in customary style.
With folded hands, Mr. Modi waded through a sea of eager supporters who had gathered outside his brother’s residence. He touched his mother’s feet and sought her blessings. The mother-son duo spent 20 minutes chatting under the heavy glare of cameras and onlookers.
Mr. Modi, who left home at a young age to join the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh, shared a light moment with the children of his brother’s family.