New hope has risen, says Narendra Modi in emotional first speech

New Delhi: Narendra Modi was unanimously elected as the leader of BJP Parliamentary Party today with the Prime Minister-designate saying the election result was a vote for “new hope and aspiration” and he would try his best to live up to the expectations of the people of the country. During his acceptance 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. [caption id=“attachment_1533889” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Screengrab from CNN-IBN[/caption] His name was proposed by party patriarch L K Advani and supported by a number of leaders, including Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari. The election is an important formality before Modi approaches President Pranab Mukherjee for formation of his government. Advani said Modi was a “popular” and “famous” leader and he was happy to propose his name. Joshi seconded the proposal with a sense of “pride” and “joy”. Swaraj hoped that Modi will be a “famous” Prime Minister. After the election, Modi said the recent election result had increased people’s faith in democracy and there is a “new hope” among people that this dispensation can fulfill their aspirations. Committing his government to all sections of the society, particularly the youth, women and poor, he said, “I want to assure the people of the country that there is no need for pessimism going by the past bad experience…I am a very optimistic man and only an optimistic man can bring optimism in the country.” “I will try to live up to expectations of people,” he said and promised to present report card to people in 2019. “A new hope has arisen in the common man. This is the biggest significance of this election results. At the end of the day for whom is the government? It is for the poor. The new government will dedicate itself for the poor, crores and crores of youth and for the safety and security of the mothers and sisters, those in the rural areas, oppressed and the deprived,” he said. Referring to the nature of the verdict, he said if it had been a hung or a fractured verdict then one can say that people had vented their anger against the government and that it was anti-establishment. “But by giving BJP an absolute majority they have voted for hope and trust. People have voted for hope and faith. And I will do everything to fulfil their aspirations,” he said, adding that he is a man full of optimism. There should be no room for pessimism and because with pessimism nothing can be achieved. Recollecting an earlier speech of his, he said his government’s motto will be with everyone and for everyone’s development. “This is the time for new hope and strength.” Modi said in 2019 he will meet the MPs again with a report card. My government is not for myself but for the country. The government is for the poor and we want to do something for them, he said. “I will strive my best to fulfil the responsibility you have reposed in me. You will never have to look down on the work it will do.” The PM-to be also took the opportunity to praise the work of the past governments, saying every government and its leaders have contributed to the welfare of the country and we will carry forward whatever good they have done. PTI