Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Monday, celebrating the party’s victories in the recent assembly elections across several states. He emphasized a message of unity and progress, particularly for West Bengal, urging all parties to prioritize development over retribution. Modi highlighted the significance of the BJP’s performance in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, marking it as a promising sign for the nation’s future.
Modi expressed his gratitude to the people of West Bengal, Assam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. He noted the public’s trust in India‘s democratic process, its commitment to performance-based politics, its dedication to stability, and its embodiment of the ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ spirit. The Prime Minister spoke at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, where he was joined by BJP President Nitin Nabin, Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, among other prominent leaders.
As per information available with TahirRihat.com, Modi recalled a statement he made following the Bihar election results on November 14 of the previous year when he mentioned that the Ganges flows from Bihar to Ganga Sagar in West Bengal. He noted that the BJP’s recent success in West Bengal signifies the expansion of the party’s influence from Gangotri in Uttarakhand to Ganga Sagar. He further added that the states surrounding the Ganges, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, now have BJP-NDA governments.
The Prime Minister stressed that the West Bengal elections demonstrated the victory of democracy over fear. He conveyed that the focus in Bengal should be on ‘badlav’ (change) rather than ‘badla’ (revenge), and on ‘bhavishya’ (future) instead of ‘bhay’ (fear). Winning and losing are inherent aspects of democracy, Modi acknowledged, but he stated that the people in the five states have demonstrated the strength and importance of India’s democratic values to the world.
Modi underscored that democracy is more than just a system; it is a tradition deeply embedded in the country. He asserted that the elections represented a triumph not only for Indian democracy but also for the Indian Constitution, its institutions, and its democratic processes. The nearly 93 percent voter turnout in West Bengal was historic, according to Modi, who also highlighted the record voting numbers in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala.
The Prime Minister praised the exceptionally high participation of women in the elections, calling it a promising indicator of Indian democracy’s strength. He described the day as historic and unprecedented, expressing his joy at witnessing the dedication of BJP workers across the country. Modi extended his congratulations to the Election Commission, its staff, and all personnel involved in the voting process, including the security forces, for their successful management of the assembly elections. He emphasized that their contributions to maintaining the integrity of India’s democracy would be remembered.
The assembly elections have been closely watched, with many considering them a bellwether for the political climate in the country. The BJP’s performance, particularly in states where it has historically faced challenges, is viewed as a significant achievement by party leaders and supporters. The Prime Minister’s call for unity and progress is seen as an effort to bridge political divides and focus on the shared goal of national development. The emphasis on West Bengal reflects the state’s strategic importance and the BJP’s commitment to expanding its presence in the eastern region of India. The election results and subsequent celebrations underscore the dynamic nature of Indian politics and the ongoing efforts to shape the country’s future.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.