After the Bharatiya Janata Party’s unprecedented victory in the General Elections 2014, it was time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to recognise the sweat and toil put in by the party workers to ensure this win.
Modi visited the BJP office at 11 Ashoka Road on Sunday to reward party workers with an incentive equivalent to three-months’ salary in recognition of their hard work.
Reports stated that the office workers who will be getting the incentive include office staff, personal assistants, computer operators and cleaning staff.
A sentimental Modi recalled his days spent in the party office and reiterated that if the BJP had to pass the test of commitment to public welfare, people would hail it.
“When Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had won, I had set chairs in this office,” said Modi and added, “Today I have come here seeking new energy and inspiration. Bhandari, Kushabhau Thakre have done tapasya (penance) here. It is an inspirational seat for all workers. I had never imagined that I would receive such an honour.”
Modi reiterated that with great power comes greater responsibility and told the BJP workers that the nation had invested its faith in the party. The party had to repay this trust, he averred and added, “The last government left India disappointed and disillusioned, but the voter was 10 steps ahead. I had said this is an election of expectations. And it is important that the expectations are met and India is not disappointed.”
Reminiscing his journey through elections, Modi said, “When Tony Blair won his first election in the UK, there was a book which documented his victory and strategies. When Barack Obama won, technology and social media was used to the hilt. But nowhere in the world is election held on such grand scale as India.
“Whenever any world leader calls me and I tell them that 550 million people voted, they are flabbergasted. The scale is so grand, but this has not been represented before the world in the the way that it should be—neither by the Election Commission nor by the political parties. An illiterate man in village came out in 44 degrees heat to participate in the electoral process—social scientists should conduct researches on such tangents.”
“The world should know that democracy is in our DNA, genetic system,” he quipped.