Speaking after his election as leader of the NDA parliamentary party, Modi emphasised that while NDA, a pre-poll alliance, had got the majority, a consensual approach was needed to serve the nation. “Sarkar chalane ke liye bahumat chahiye lekin desh chalane ke liye sarvmat bahut zaroori hai,” he said and asserted, “I assure people of the country and you all that no stone will be left unturned to serve the nation with consensus.”
Modi also declared his commitment to “sarv panth sambhav” — the unique Indian concept which enjoins upon the state not to differentiate among citizens on the ground of faith but, unlike in the Western concept of secularism, does not seek to evict religion from the public arena. Political circles felt the remarks stood in contrast to Modi’s strong attack on “Muslim quota” which the opposition and others had dubbed divisive and polarising. His putting forward the consensual feat was also seen as a switch prompted by BJP’s drop in numbers and the corresponding accretion in the opposition’s strength.
However, the speech was also an exercise in projecting dominance, with Modi making light of Congress’s improved strength by pointing out that even after a decade, Congress could not win a three-digit tally. He echoed the sentiment of allies like CMs of Bihar and Maharashtra, Nitish Kumar and Eknath Shinde, who contended that the opposition had managed to sway sections with their “false narratives”, and that the increased strength of Congress was an aberration, rather than the beginning of a pattern. “So far, they were sinking slowly but now they will hurtle down the abyss,” Modi said even as he projected another 10 years of NDA at the Centre.
He also mocked celebrations post-verdict in the opposition camp. “For two days after the election results came, some people created such an atmosphere that we had lost. But the country knows that we were not defeated. Our values are such that victory does not create hysteria among us and we do not ridicule the defeated,” he said. He added that even a child would tell that it was the NDA that was in office before the polls and which is in office after the polls. “Where did we lose? NDA was there yesterday, is there today and will be there tomorrow.”
Modi, however, also emphasised that for all the jubilation in the Congress camp, the party ‘s cumulative score in the last three elections was lower than what BJP achieved in this election.
Modi, who mentioned NDA nearly 20 times, said the combine stood for “New India, Developed India and Aspirational India” and, unlike the “INDI Alliance”, was not an alliance of convnience. “It is an organic alliance,” he said, promising that the allies could always count on him for any help. “Jahan kaam wahan hum,” he assured.
Referring to AAP’s pullout of of “INDI bloc”, Modi said his prediction that the opposition alliance would start unravelling after declaration of results had come true. He emphasised that NDA was the longest-surviving alliance and was committed to the policy of “nation first” as he also attacked the INDIA bloc as a contrast which had grouped together for its hunger for office and obsession to defeat just one person. “If you see in the context of alliances and statistics, then this is the strongest alliance govt,” he said.
Modi highlighted the growing footprint of NDA, saying the alliance was in office in 22 states, which reflected the spirit of India in its true essence. “There are 10 tribal-dominated states of which NDA is serving in seven states. We are committed to the Constitution’s spirit of ‘sarv panth sambhav’, look at Goa and north-eastern states, where Christian community is predominant but we have got the opportunity to serve,” Modi said.