New Delhi: With a stunning mandate and the BJP expected to cross the 300 mark on its own, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s celebration is reminiscent of his 2014 poll pitch.
सबका साथ + सबका विकास + सबका विश्वास = विजयी भारत
Together we grow.
Together we prosper.
Together we will build a strong and inclusive India.
India wins yet again! #VijayiBharat
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2019
And, now he has no need of ‘chowkidars’ and decided to therefore drop the prefix from his twitter handle.
Now, the time has come to take the Chowkidar Spirit to the next level.
Keep this spirit alive at every moment and continue working for India’s progress.
The word ‘Chowkidar’ goes from my Twitter name but it remains an integral part of me. Urging you all to do the same too!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2019
Meanwhile, congratulatory messages are pouring in from everywhere and everyone for Modi.
One of the first messages comes from Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj. She didn’t fight the elections from Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, a seat that she had earlier represented, but is seeing how the BJP has swept the state, perhaps she ought to have.
प्रधान मंत्री जी @narendramodi – भारतीय जनता पार्टी को इतनी बड़ी विजय दिलाने के लिए आपका बहुत बहुत अभिनन्दन. मैं देशवासियों के प्रति हृदय से कृज्ञता व्यक्त करती हूँ.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 23, 2019
Her Ministry of External Affairs followed suit — it’s putting out series of congratulatory messages for PM Modi from world leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping. Conspicuous by its absence on MEA’s timeline, however, is Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s congratulatory tweet.
Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulates PM @narendramodi on the electoral victory under his leadership pic.twitter.com/uFFlc5GHTC
— Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2019
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti is gracious to her former allies, the BJP, in her election greetings. Is she eyeing another alliance in the state?
Congratulations to Narendra Modi ji for a historic mandate. Today surely belongs to BJP and it’s allies. Time for Congress to get an Amit Shah.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 23, 2019
Her rival in Jammu and Kashmir, the urbane and witty Omar Abdullah, is looking forward to the “next five years”.
So the exit polls were correct. All that’s left is to congratulate the BJP & NDA for a stellar performance. Credit where credit is due PM Modi Sahib & Mr Amit Shah put together a winning alliance & a very professional campaign. Bring on the next five years.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 23, 2019
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee probably comes across as a sore loser, who refuses to congratulate anyone or admit defeat in the face of the huge numbers that BJP is making in her state. Will she not believe in the VVPATs either?
Congratulations to the winners. But all losers are not losers. We have to do a complete review and then we will share our views with you all. Let the counting process be completed fully and the VVPATs matched
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 23, 2019
Congress’s Shashi Tharoor isn’t in a congratulatory mood although he appears to be winning in Kerala. He likens winning elections to scoring a century.
As my lead nears 50,000 with 72% counted, i feel like a batsman who has scored a century while his team has lost! It's a bittersweet emotion I will take some time to reflect on. #TharoorForTvm
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 23, 2019
Congress’ Hasiba Amin is more cheerful about victory than Shashi Tharoor. She’s celebrating a rare Congress win in Goa. Rahul Gandhi is known to have fondness for Goa, but with Amethi likely to fall from his grip, maybe he can fight from there next time.
WOAH!! Congress wins Panjim by-poll. Seat held by Parrikar. Victory after 25years. Wow!
— Hasiba | حسيبة ? (@HasibaAmin) May 23, 2019
The irrepressible Mani Shankar Aiyar, and Sanjay Jha greet Modi in their customary acerbic style. Both attack Modi on Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and the ‘new India’ she represents — well, they need new vocabulary to lock horns with her.
If Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur who called Nathuram Godse a patriot is winning then I want to congratulate PM Narendra Modi. Sir, you have truly changed my great country. Awesome!
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) May 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/SirAiyar/status/1131449118734204929
Actor-turned politician Rajnikanth also bestowed his ‘God’ blessings upon Modi. His political career may have stalled even before it could start, but with the BJP looking for friends in Tamil Nadu, after AIADMK’s uninspired performance, Thalaiva might just be their man.
Respected dear @narendramodi ji
hearty congratulations … You made it !!! God bless.— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) May 23, 2019
And lastly, how do you enjoy a successful election without really trying? Well, by sitting in TV channels’ studios. Ask Swaraj Abhiyan’s Yogendra Yadav, who was on a channel-hopping spree on the counting day.
Today I am commenting on the results, live at:
Morning*8:00 – 10:00 AM* – NDTV 24×7 and NDTV India
*11:00 – 11:15 AM* – TimesNow
*11:15 – 11:30 AM* – TirangaTV
*11:30 – 12:00 PM* – CNN NEWS18
*12:00 – 1:00 – INDIA TODAY
*1:00 – 2:00 PM* – AajTak
*2:00 – 2:30 PM* – QUINT— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) May 23, 2019
Also read: Vijay Rupani watches Modi biopic & Jyotiraditya Scindia takes a break in US