Two days after the BJP’s landslide victory in the national poll, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while visiting his home State Gujarat on May 26 said “people voted for development” and added that his return to power was a huge responsibility that the people had bestowed on him.
Addressing party workers at a rally in Ahmedabad, his first since the massive victory in the Lok Sabha election, Mr. Modi said, “We have to utilise these five years to solve issues of the common citizens.”
According to him, the coming years will be about ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (participation of people in governance) and ‘Jan Chetna’ (Raising awareness) about governance and welfare programmes of the NDA government, which is beginning a second term
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He compared the next five years with 1942 to 1947, a a crucial period of the freedom movement from Quit India in 1942 to final independence in 1947. He added that besides working for the people of the country, the next five years will be used to enhance the image of India globally.
Expressing his gratitude to the people of his home State, he said “he shares a special bond with the people of Gujarat.”
“Last night, the President of India invited me to be the next Prime Minister and today I have come here to take your blessings. The blessings of the State’s citizens have always been very special for me,’ said the Prime Minister, who landed in Ahmedabad on Sunday evening to a grand welcome from the BJP workers.
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“In 2014, the country got an opportunity to know Gujarat and the development model of the State came in front of everyone. I am coming back to the land that has nurtured me. I am back to a place with which I have a very old bond,” he added, saying Gujarat was a stepping stone for him.
Talking about the party’s massive consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha polls, the PM told the party workers that he had repeatedly claimed that the election, instead of an anti-incumbency, had a pro-incumbency wave and immediately after the 6th phase, he claimed to have told the party president that the BJP would cross 300 seats this time.
“After the sixth phase of polling, I had said that it's 300 plus for us. When I said it, people mocked me. But, the results are for everyone to see.”
The PM also expressed his grief over the gruesome fire tragedy in Surat in which 22 school students died in a coaching centre that was gutted.
“Since yesterday, I was in dilemma whether to attend the programme in Ahmedabad or not. One side it was ‘kartavya’and on the other side it was ‘karuna.' Families who lost their children, lost their future. I pray that God gives power to the families of those children,” he said, adding he had directed the state government to take all necessary measures.
The PM came to Gujarat to meet his mother before he takes oath of office on May 30.