Election verdict is for hope, asserts Modi

'India is my mother, so is the BJP,' Modi breaks down while addressing leaders in the Cental Hall of Parliament

Narendra Modi was on Tuesday unanimously elected as the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Paty (BJP) parliamentary party amid chants of 'Bharat Mata ki jai' and a standing ovation.

 

BJP chief Rajnath Singh announced Modi as the leader of the BJP parliamentary board after senior leader LK Advani proposed the name of "popular" leader.

 

Singh said: "This is a historic moment in the politics of India." 

 

Senior leaders such as Murli Manohar Joshi, Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and Sushma Swaraj also supported the proposal for electing Modi.

 

Advani, who embraced Modi after he was chosen as the leader of BJP parliamentary party, got emotional as he greeted the Gujarat strongman.

 

Addressing his first speech after being formally elected as the BJP parliamentary party leader Modi said that responsibilities are bigger than posts and we are not here for posts but to fulfill people's hopes and aspirations.

WATCH VIDEO | Modi elected as BJP parliamentary party leader

 

"I have tried my best as a party worker," he added.

 

He went on add that the new government is dedicated to the poor, the youth and mothers and sisters. 

 

The PM-designate thanked BJP leaders for choosing him for the top job and said he would do his best to fulfil the task assigned to him. 

 

During his speech, 63-year-old Modi broke down when he referred to L K Advani's mention that he had done favour to the party by taking up the responsibility.

 

"Can serving the mother be a favour? A son is only dedicated to serve the mother....The favour has been done by the party," he said addressing the newly-elected MPs of the party in the historic Central Hall of Parliament. 

 

Modi said that this Lok Sabha election verdict is about hope not anti-incumbency. 

 

"Salute all those who made sacrifices for India's independence and the makers of India's constitution, who laid the foundation that makes this the largest democracy in the world. Look at the strength of the Constitution," he added." 

 

Meanwhile, an National Democratic Alliance delegation will call on President Pranab Mukherjee this afternoon to convey to him its decision making Modi the grouping's leader. 

 

Immediately after the 15-member delegation of the NDA meets Mukherjee, Modi will call on the President at 3:15, President's Press Secretary Venu Rajamony said.