New Delhi: After winning a historic mandate for a second term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to show off his proficiency in things other than politics. Social media for one, diplomacy for another. Here, he is acknowledging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamain Netanyahu’s congratulations, not just in English, but also in Bibi’s mother tongue, Hebrew.
תודה לך, חברי היקר @netanyahu. ברכותיך בעלות ערך רב בשבילי.אני בטוח שנחזק יותר את השותפות האסטרטגית שלנו בשנים הקרובות. https://t.co/EJWyn7gPHY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2019
Among all the heads of state and politicians who greeted Narendra Modi on his win Thursday, one of the most significant was US President Donald Trump. He assured everybody that great things were in store for US-India ties. Like more trade tariffs, Mr President?
Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2019
The BJP’s East Delhi winner Gautam Gambhir tweeted, too, and we realise that he isn’t just a cricketer-turned-politician but one who can talk politics as well as he could bat.
Neither it’s a ‘Lovely’ cover drive and nor it is an ‘आतिशी’ बल्लेबाज़ी। It’s just the BJP’s ‘गंभीर’ ideology which people have supported. Thanks a lot to all the @BJP4India and @BJP4Delhi team-mates for getting this mandate. We won’t fail people’s choice. #EkBaarPhirModiSarkar
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 23, 2019
Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU) chief Kanhaiya Kumar lost his Begusarai seat by a wide margin to the BJP’s Giriraj Singh and accepted the mandate, but he’s not giving up — he will continue to fight for human rights. At JNU?
दुनिया के सबसे बड़े लोकतंत्र के जनादेश पर सभी देशवासियों को बधाई। चुने गए सभी सांसदों को शुभकामनाएँ और चुनाव के दौरान सहयोग व समर्थन करने वाले तमाम लोगों का धन्यवाद। जनता के अधिकारों के लिए हमारा संघर्ष जोश और लगन के साथ जारी रहेगा। ?
— Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyakumar) May 23, 2019
A translation: “Congratulations to all Indians on the mandate of the biggest democracy. Best wishes to all candidates elected as parliamentarians, and gratitude to all those who supported by campaign. Our struggle for people’s rights will continue with fervour.”
From one Left liberal to another. Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury accepted defeat and acknowledged the BJP’s win – what else could he do?
There are huge challenges ahead regarding the defence of our secular democratic Republic, institutions of Constitutional authority, people’s rights & livelihood issues. We call upon the people to safeguard harmony to unitedly come forward to meet these challenges in future (n/n) https://t.co/mN72BqafXh
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) May 23, 2019
Union minister Smriti Irani, meanwhile, thanked supporters for her historic showing in Amethi, a Gandhi family bastion where she beat Congress president Rahul Gandhi. She mentioned the ‘lotus’ and Modi, but said nothing about herself. We think you must give yourself some credit too, ma’am.
एक नयी सुबह अमेठी के लिए , एक नया संकल्प। धन्यवाद अमेठी ?शत शत नमन । आपने विकास पर विश्वास जताया, कमल का फूल खिलाया। अमेठी का आभार #PhirEkBaarModiSarkaar #VijayiBharat
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) May 24, 2019
Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani is putting up a brave face after candidates he campaigned for suffered losses, including Kanhaiya. He assured followers that “apna time aayega (our time will come)” and reassured comrades that half of India did not believe in hate and Godse. What about the other half, Mr Mevani?
Guys don't worry, अपना टाईम आएगा ! @GulPanag @ReallySwara @prakashraaj
— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) May 24, 2019
One of the few places where the BJP failed to overpower rivals was Tamil Nadu. M.K. Stalin, the president of the DMK, which swept the state, thanked his supporters and promised to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu. That leaves the rest of the country to someone else.
தலை வணக்கம் தமிழகமே!
நாடாளுமன்றத் தேர்தலில் தி.மு.க தலைமையிலான கூட்டணிக்கு மகத்தான வெற்றியைக் கொடுத்துள்ள மக்களுக்கு நெஞ்சார்ந்த நன்றியைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்.
மக்கள் எங்கள்மேல் வைத்துள்ள நம்பிக்கையை எந்நாளும் காப்போம்! தமிழகத்தின் உரிமைகளை காக்க என்றும் குரல் கொடுப்போம்!
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 23, 2019
After BJP’s young gun Tejasvi Surya was elected an MP from Bengaluru South, he visited a statue of Baba Ambedkar to pay his respects.
My first task as MP elect was to pay pranams to my childhood hero Baba Saheb Ambedkar.
Born into nothing, he grew to become the most influential scholar – leader of the country. An inspiration for everyone.
Let's infuse fresh energy into his sublime Constitution pic.twitter.com/mQbGqUz42y
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) May 24, 2019
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap congratulated PM Modi on his victory. He also presented the PM with his first challenge – to control his followers who attacked his daughter. Hope Modi ji will be “vijay” in this also…
Dear @narendramodi sir. Congratulations on your victory and thank you for the message of inclusiveness. Sir please also tell us how do we deal with these followers of yours who celebrate your victory by threatening my daughter with messages like this for me being your dissenter. pic.twitter.com/jC7jYVBCi8
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 23, 2019
Also read: Only thing missing from Vivek Oberoi’s Narendra Modi is the cape