Constitution is our guiding light, will work with all states: Modi after victory

Modi’s BJP, which had won an absolute majority in 2014 and 2019, is falling short of a majority on its own. But the NDA, its pre-poll alliance, has won 292 seats in the Lok Sabha. This is the first time in six decades that an alliance has returned to power with a majority for a third straight time.

In his first speech after the results, Modi did not mention the fall in the BJP’s tally but laid out his vision for the third term, saying it would be a tenure of big decisions and the key emphasis would be on uprooting corruption. “The fight against corruption is becoming tougher by the day. Corruption is being shamelessly glorified for political interest. In our third term, NDA will focus a lot on rooting out corruption of all kinds,” Modi said. During the campaign, the Opposition alleged that central agencies had been misused against them.

Modi pointed out that the BJP and its allies have won the Assembly elections in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

He also mentioned the party’s near-sweep of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

“Even if our opponents united, they could not win as many seats as the BJP alone has won in this Lok Sabha election,” he said, adding that the hard work and the sweat they have shed during the campaign in the peak of summer has just “inspired Modi” to work continuously.

“If you (countrymen) work for 10 hours, Modi will work for 18 hours, if you take two steps, Modi will take four steps. We Indians will work together and take the country forward. In the third term, the country will write a new chapter of big decisions and this is Modi’s guarantee,” he said.

Evoking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Modi said the Maratha ruler’s life is an inspiration for all BJP workers to work harder.

Modi also remembered his mother, saying this was the first election after her demise. “This moment today is an emotional moment for me personally as well. This was my first election after my mother passed away. But, believe me, millions of mothers, sisters and daughters of the country never let me feel the absence of my mother. Wherever I went across the country, I got unprecedented love and blessings,” he said.

The Prime Minister arrived at the BJP headquarters to a rousing welcome by hundreds of supporters chanting his name. He was greeted by BJP chief J P Nadda and Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah.

“Narendra Modi will be Prime Minister for a third term, “ Nadda declared as he welcomed the Prime Minister. Asserting that Modi had worked hard for the poor and the backward sections in the country, Nadda said the country has stood by Modi, bringing the NDA alliance back to power for the first time in six decades. He asked the opposition to introspect.

The backdrop on the stage had ‘Dhanyawad Bharat’ written in multiple languages, including Urdu.

Modi began his speech with a “Jai Jagannath” and thanked the people of Odisha for giving BJP a clear mandate in the state for the first time.

Modi also thanked TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar — his NDA allies — for the electoral successes in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.