Modi thanks people of Maninagar, says will fulfill dreams

On the eve of resigning as Gujarat chief minister, BJP's prime minister-designate Narendra Modi Tuesday thanked the people of his Maninagar assembly constituency for their support and said he would ensure that their dreams are fulfilled.

Addressing a mammoth, wildly cheering gathering in Maninagr, hours after President Pranab Mukherjee formally invited him to take oath as the prime minister Monday, Modi said: "I will succeed in my new assignment as your best wishes are with me. Maninagar's wishes will not go in vain."

An emotional Modi said that in the last state election in 2012, the people elected him till 2017.

"But when I came in 2012, you people started the chant of 'PM, PM, PM' and that time, I said 'CM, CM'."

Speaking in Gujarati, Modi said the people of Maninagar elected him three times "and that too with record margins".

He promised that a new model of Maninagar would be made with help of the people.

"Even if I go from here, I will ensure that the dreams of the people here are fulfilled."

On Wednesday, the Gujarat assembly will meet at 11 a.m. to bid farewell to Modi as chief minister.

At 3 p.m., Modi will hand over his resignation from the post of chief minister to the governor.