Modi chosen as NDA leader

Constituents of 29-party NDA today chose Narendra Modi as their leader hailing him as “strong” personality with “extraordinary capabilities” under whom the country will prosper and attain a major stature in the world.

In his brief acceptance speech, Modi said that even though BJP got a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha polls, NDA allies will be as important for him as they would have been without it.

Gathered in the historic Central Hall of Parliament, leaders of NDA constituents, including TDP, Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, LJP and Nagaland Peoples’ Front, praised Modi’s stewardship and reposed confidence in him. Haryana Janhit Party chief Kuldeep Singh Bishnoi was conspicuous by his absence.

TDP chief and former NDA convenor Chandrababu Naidu said under Modi’s Prime Ministership, India will find a place among the world powers with “real competition” being with the US and China.

“In this nation building activity, we are one partner with Narendra Modi. We extend on behalf of TDP all cooperation for his great job in cleaning the country and also developing the nation,” he said.

“I have seen so many leaders, but his determination, and also enthusiasm in doing things is extraordinary,” he said.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, while expressing his party’s support, said for 25 years, it has just been a struggle for the BJP-led alliance and now “good days have commenced’’.

LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan said the “miracle” of NDA getting so many seats in the Lok Sabha polls was possible only because Modi was projected as the Prime Ministerial candidate.

He said the responsibility was “not a garland of flowers but a crown of thorns” and it was important to deliver on promises in a time-bound manner.

Describing the electoral verdict as a mandate for development, Paswan said it has exposed those indulging in caste and minorities politics.

Asserting that the country needed a “strong” and “not helpless” Prime Minister, the LJP leader said, “those (countries) who used to dare India, are now hiding like cats” as Modi is going to take charge.

Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal described his party’s association with BJP as “inseparable''.

In his acceptance speech, Modi told the NDA constituents that the government would be “yours” and it has to be run collectively.

“Even though BJP got a majority on its own, you remain as important as you would be if BJP did not get majority on its own,” the Prime Minister-elect told the NDA allies.

He appreciated the work done by NDA constituents in their respective regions, saying they had set an “example of hard labour” which demonstrates their commitment above politics.

Modi recalled that NDA had started the march in the Lok Sabha polls with three parties and by the time the polls concluded, the convoy comprised 29 parties.