Addressing a large crowd of cheering supporters Thursday evening after the Bharatiya Janata Party won a decisive victory in the state elections in Gujarat, its polarizing leader Narendra Modi thanked the state’s voters for coming out in large numbers, even as he appeared to reach out to Indians all over the country.
“Whether they are in Assam or Kerala or Jammu and Kashmir,” Mr. Modi said in a 45-minute speech in Ahmedabad, “this is a victory for all the people of this country who want development.”
Dressed in a saffron kurta, Mr. Modi, who has spoken largely in Gujarati throughout his campaign, chose to speak in Hindi, a sign many commentators say that his victory speech was intended not just for Gujarat’s 60 million residents but for a pan Indian audience.
While few had any doubt that the B.J.P. would return to power in Gujarat – the party won in 115 of 182 constituencies – the margin of victory was being closely watched as a personal test for Mr. Modi, who is widely believed to have prime ministerial ambitions. His speech is being seen as an attempt to recast the powerful regional politician as a national leader capable of replicating Gujarat’s development model across the country at a time when India’s slowing growth is becoming a cause for concern.
“In this country, there has been a belief that good economics is bad politics,” Mr. Modi said. “I am proud that the voters of Gujarat have proved that growth and development can be successful election issues.”
With dozens of cameras trained on him, Mr. Modi, who has long been the subject of intense media scrutiny, projected himself as a tireless leader focused on “bringing development to the doorstep of every poor person, every farmer, every worker,” rather than the politics of religion or caste.
“There was a time when a government could do one good thing in one term and still sail through,” Mr. Modi said. “I can’t rest if I don’t do one new thing every day.”
Mr. Modi said he is serving the country by serving Gujarat. If a Gujarati farmer is doing well, for instance, he is bailing out an Indian elsewhere who is in need of food, Mr Modi said. If a Gujarati doctor or hospital does a good job, he added, people from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh will have a place to go to if they need medical care.
He also congratulated the people of Gujarat for showing the rest of the country that the time of “pro-incumbency” has come. Mr. Modi will serve as Chief Minister for a fourth term. At a time in India when state governments come for five years and are quickly replaced by other governments, he said, the people of Gujarat have shown “remarkable maturity.”
“By bringing the same government back, the people are holding it accountable,” he said. “Political stability is important for good governance and development.”
While most expected Mr. Modi’s speech to focus on development, many were surprised by the normally pugnacious and defiant leader’s somewhat conciliatory tone, as he apologized for any mistakes he may have made as the state’s chief. “There may have been a time when I hurt someone or when I made a mistake,” Mr. Modi said. “I ask my 60 million Gujaratis to forgive me.”
Lashing out at “political pundits” for what he characterized as a systematic negative campaign against him, Mr. Modi congratulated his voters for drowning out all the commentary blaring through their television sets. He projected himself as a fighter, battling all odds, including a negative campaign by an “anti-Modi cohort.”
It is widely believed that Mr. Modi needs to repair his image if he is to succeed at the national level. At one point, his euphoric supporters chanted “Delhi Delhi,” willing the chief minister to make a trip to the national capital. Mr. Modi promised to visit Delhi on Dec. 27, a loaded statement which was followed by chants of “P.M., P.M.,” referring to Mr. Modi as Prime Minister.
In Gujarat, Mr. Modi’s victory was celebrated on the streets with music, dance and fireworks. To these supporters, Mr. Modi promised “five more years of prosperity.”
“I promise you that I will never be tired, I will never stop,” Mr. Modi said. “I will fulfill all your dreams with all of my strength.”
India Ink: Modi Victory Speech Comes With Apology
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India Ink: Modi Victory Speech Comes With Apology
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India Ink: Modi Victory Speech Comes With Apology
