Though known as a man of steely resolve and fiery speeches, Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi turned emotional and broke down in the Central Hall of Parliament on Tuesday. Making his >acceptance speech soon after being unanimously elected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party Parliamentary Party, Mr. Modi gave a hint of the kind of government that India was getting now. His government would be one that “thinks, works and lives for the poor and is dedicated to the villages, youth and women of India.”
Before entering the historic Central Hall for the first time, he bowed at the portals of Parliament House, and said he felt “humbled and grateful.” While he referred to the brief welcome speech of party patriarch L.K. Advani, who was seated near him, Mr. Modi’s voice choked and tears welled up in his eyes. He paused for a few seconds and had a sip of water, while the gathering sat in silence.
“Advani ji said Narendra bhai has done us a kripa (favour). I request him not to use that word. Can serving one’s mother be a favour? Just as India is my mother, BJP is also my mother. The party has done me a favour by giving me an opportunity to serve it,” he said. The Prime Minister-designate described Parliament as a “temple of democracy,” and said the elected representatives would collectively and piously work not for position or power but for the good of the people. He was given a standing ovation by the members after his name was announced as the leader.
