Sweets, fireworks greet new govt

Celebrations erupted in the national capital and other parts of the country as Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister on Monday evening, with BJP workers and supporters distributing sweets and setting off firecrackers while greetings poured in for the new government.

BJP workers in Delhi celebrated by illuminating streets and organising public gatherings where giant screens were installed for live telecast of swearing-in ceremony from Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Rallies and human chains were also formed in many cities by enthusiastic supporters preparing for the day following the BJP’s astounding victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

Chief ministers of various states and other leaders congratulated the new government.

“I hope they hand over a better India to their successors when the time comes. That’s the very least we can expect or hope for,” said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, while wishing “Team Modi the very best” on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat and his Himachal Pradesh counterpart Virbhadra Singh, both of the Congress, said their governments would partner the central government in the interest of their states and the country. They did not attend the ceremony.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje congratulated Modi and hoped India would emerge as the strongest nation and a superpower under his leadership. “The people’s dream of a prosperous India, security and self respect will be fulfilled by the Modi Sarkar,” said the BJP leader.

With the wishes came the hopes of regional leaders that the new Central government would fulfil their long-standing demands.

“I have greeted the new government under Narendra Modi. I once again congratulate the new government that will take charge in the evening (on Monday),” said former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

He has “great expectations” from the new Union government, and Bihar should get special-category status and a special package, he added.

Kumar and Modi had not missed any opportunity to politically attack each other since last year, and Modi’s elevation in the BJP had prompted Kumar to pull his party, the JD(U), out of NDA in June last year after being a part of it for 17 years.

Denied any relief from the UPA-II government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too pinned her hopes on the new BJP government. “They (the Centre) were taking away all the money.

A new government is coming—let’s see what happens,” said Banerjee, who has been critical of Modi and skipped the swearing-in ceremony, at a government function here.

Virbhadra Singh said Modi was well aware of the problems of the people of Himachal Pradesh and its topography, and expressed hope that the state would get special Central assistance under the new government.

Elated

Meanwhile, BJP supporters danced to the beats of drums and hoisted party flags on their houses in many places. “Everyone is in such a celebratory mood. The people are excited and the energy here is electric,” said Kavita Sharma, a BJP worker in Delhi.

Some workers from neighbouring cities like Gurgaon, Rohtak and Noida also headed for Delhi’s BJP office, where they watched live telecast of Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on an LED screen.

“I am ecstatic to be here on such an important occasion. Today is a memorable day. Narendra Modi is our leader and he will take India to new heights,” said Shambu, a BJP worker who had travelled from Rohtak. In UP, BJP workers distributed sweets among schoolchildren in Ghaziabad and other districts.

BJP workers organised several events in Modi’s home state of Gujarat. A fireworks display was organised at 6:30 pm at Naranpura crossroads and the Vyas Wadi area under the Naranpura Assembly segment, held by Modi’s right-hand man Amit Shah.

The BJP Yuva Morcha celebrated the day by distributing sweets and organising rallies across Gujarat.