Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 26 April, said the country was witnessing a "pro-incumbency" wave for the first time since Independence and that there was an atmosphere of enthusiasm for the return of his government.
Addressing a rally in Varanasi, Modi cautioned BJP workers against any complacency and said elections should be fought in the spirit of brotherhood. He later filed his nomination papers in the presence of senior BJP and NDA leaders.
Modi said that notwithstanding the stridency displayed by an opponent, there should not be any quarrel. "Friendship, brotherhood, this is the victory of democracy," he said.
Modi also urged the party workers not to react to any abuses hurled at him.
“Let the abuses go into Modi’s account. I convert dirt into manure and then use it to bloom Lotuses (election symbol of BJP).”PM Modi in Varanasi
He said that BJP workers all over the country were working hard. "From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Pasighat to Porbandar, there is an enthusiasm in the country”.
As Modi said "Phir ek baar", the gathering responded by saying "Modi sarkar".
Modi’s Message for Political Pundits
Modi said there had been several elections after Independence but the political pundits will need to analyse the "pro-incumbency wave that the country is seeing for the first time."
“People have made up their mind. There is a feeling of uniqueness in the hard work of party workers and the love and affection of people.”
He targeted West Bengal and Kerala governments for violence against BJP workers.
Referring to the body of 22-year-old BJP youth wing leader found hanging from a tree in West Bengal's Purulia district earlier this month, he said that such crimes were committed to spread fear among people.
He compared BJP workers with "gawale" (milkmen) accompanying Lord Krishna, the "vanar sena" of Lord Ram and workers of King Shivaji.
‘Blessings from Mothers and Daughters Protects Me’
He said that a lot of people raised security concerns about his roadshow on Thursday, but that he gets protection from the wishes of mothers and sisters. "Matrishakti (mother power) gives me a lot of blessings. If something protects Modi, it is the blessings of crores of mothers and daughters," Modi said.
He declared that BJP workers should also bring together first-time voters, irrespective of their political affiliation, and offer them "jaggery" to celebrate their vote.
Modi said he had been travelling across various parts of the country in the past one-and-a-half months. "We are only an instrument. The election is being fought by the people of country. And they have a lot of expectations from us."
He stated that, looking at the response of the people on Thursday, the BJP seemed to have already won Varanasi, but he would not be satisfied until the party had won every booth. “My booth worker should not be defeated,” he said.
"We have to break some records," he said. "Democracy should win," he said, urging party workers to establish rapport with families in their area.
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