In Parliament For First Time, Narendra Modi Leaves Many In Tears With Speech That Mixes Drama With Substance

NEW DELHI: In the last nine months, he made millions in India run through an entire gamut of emotions: anger, aversion, pluck, mirth, amazement and much more. In all these speeches, Narendra Modi looked like a man in control of his emotions. But on Tuesday, after being elected leader of the BJP parliamentary party — in other words, the PM elect — he choked with emotions. Modi wept.

Read full text of Narendra Modi's speech in Central Hall of Parliament

Before him, his senior L K Advani had wept. In fact, he triggered the emotions in Modi. Years from now those present at Parliament's historic Central Hall on Tuesday, may or may not remember what Modi said. But few, if any, will ever forget the moment when tears welled up in the BJP leader's voice and eyes revealing a carefully concealed softer side.

Responding to Advani's speech where he had said that Modi had done the party a kripa (favour), he said, "Advaniji ne ek shabd kahaa. Main Advanji se prarthna karoonga ki woh iss shabd ka istmaal na kare. Unhone kaha ki Narendra bhai ne kirpa ki (Advaniji said that I have done a favour to BJP. I will request him not to use this term)."



At this juncture, the BJP leader broke down. He paused to sip water and took a moment to gather himself before continuing.

"Kya ma ki seva kabhi kirpa ho sakti hai? Katai nahin ho sakti hai. Jaise Bharat meri ma hai waise hi BJP bhi meri ma hai. Aur isliyee beta kabhi ma par kirpa nahin karta, sirf samarpit bhav se ma ki sewa karta hai (Can a son do any favour by serving the mother? Not at all. Like India, BJP is also my mother. A son never does any favour. He only serves his mother in a dedicated manner)," he said.



Like a gifted artist who makes the audience sway with the emotion, Modi appeared to be making others emotional. Some like Ravi Shankar Prasad were tearful.

It was evident right from the very beginning that it was day of emotional drama. While entering the Parliament building, Modi knelt and placed his forehead on the green carpeted steps like a devotee before a temple. "This is the temple of democracy," he said later.

At the start his speech, Modi was overcome up with feelings while talking about former BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is unwell. "Had Vajpayeeji been well, his presence would have been 'sone par suhaga' (icing on the cake)."

Throughout the speech, Modi underlined the power of the pause during speech. Emotions aside, he not only displayed his command over the Hindi language but also spoke like a man in total control and command of everything he surveys.

Twitter reactions after Modi's speech

Having lunch in the Central Hall of Parliament with all the elected BJP members! All of us quite emotional after hearing Modiji's speech!

— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) May 20, 2014

After many, many years, it feels like India has got a Prime Minister, and not a puppet. #ModiTakesCharge

— Abhilash (@talkabhilash) May 20, 2014

After hearing modi speech yest I can see a new era of responsibility has begun not only for them but for every indian to shape a new india

— Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) May 21, 2014

Emotional start to a tough journey , All the best Mr. Prime Minister @narendramodi #ModiTakesCharge

— Neha Sharma (@reinventlife24) May 20, 2014

#ModiTakesCharge trending worldwide! This man has something powerful in hus name. A true leader seen by the Indians.

— Jay Pitroda (@GujjuSRKian) May 20, 2014

Narendra Modi cries in Central Hall of Parliament. Made all of us emotional too. Afterall it's victory of good over evil #ModiTakesCharge

— Momee Borah (@RazorSharp_24) May 20, 2014

Proud to witness dis day whn Modiji bows dwn at d staircase of Central Hall of Parliament! We hv nvr seen any PM doing dis! #moditakescharge

— SOUMYAJIT SADHU (@I_SOUMYAJIT) May 20, 2014