Patna, June 9: The celebrations in Patna went on long after BJP leaders in Panaji stopped clapping, five minutes after party president Rajnath Singh announced Narendra Modi as chairman of the BJP election campaign.
Slogans like “Desh ka pradhan mantri kaisa ho, Narendra Modi jaisa ho” were on the lips of every BJP leader and worker at the party office here.
As soon as the news about Modi flashed on television screens, BJP MLA Nitin Navin, MLC Lal Babu Prasad and state party vice-president Sanjay Mayukh and other leaders went out to burst crackers.
Mayukh and the others offered sweets to party workers and even to a banner with Narendra Modi’s photograph. Holding the banner aloft, Mayukh began singing, “Hum hongey kaamyab (we shall overcome),” and said: “Mission 2014 will be a success now, it is clear he will be the PM candidate for Lok Sabha poll. Nobody can stop him now.”
Party workers first ignited a 1,000-cracker garland and followed it up with a 5,000-cracker one. When the deafening noise died down, the not-so-daring ones played with colourful sparklers and danced. Bankipore MLA Nitin Navin said: “It is important to respect the common man’s feelings. The nation’s future is in Modi’s hand, the people of Bihar and BJP leaders are there with him and ready to make any sacrifice for him.”
State animal and fish resources minister Giriraj Singh has already packed his bags for Ahmedabad. The Modi fan told The Telegraph: “Rajnath Singh has respected the feelings of party workers and leaders. I am going to Gujarat to attend a function, day after tomorrow, where Modiji is the chief guest. Now, if we want to throw out the UPA government, everybody has to set aside petty issues and follow Modiji. Only his leadership can take this country ahead.”
Asked about inviting Modi to the party’s Hunkar rally, scheduled for October 27, Giriraj said: “Our deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi has already invited him, and I must thank him for that. But, since I am going to Gujarat I, too, will request Modiji to come, not only for the rally, but for all important programmes in the state.”
Just 500m away, the JD(U) office wore a deserted look. Even on the day of Maharajganj bypoll results, some party workers were seen, but not on Sunday. In fact, the gates of the party office were closed.
