President Droupadi Murmu offered a spoonful of sweetened curd to Narendra Modi as she handed her certificate listing the latter as PM designate. The symbol of good luck before starting any new project came sent out a message of Modi honouring familial traditions. In fact, Modi’s public appearances since the June 4 results have been closely scrutinised for possible meanings. We look at some of these gestures.
During the NDA parliamentary party meeting held in the central hall of old parliament building, Modi’s arrival was met chants of “Modi, Modi”. A few moments earlier, Alwar MP Bhupender Yadav holding the proceedings called the house to raise BJP campaign slogans ‘Abki baar, Modi Sarkar’. However, soon enough releasing the changed reality, a new slogan was raised: 'Abki Baar, NDA Sarkar'.
The gesture which caught everyone’s eye the most causing a mini-shock of sorts, and political taunts in Bihar, was state chief minister and JDU chief Nitish Kumar bowing to touch Modi’s feet after his brief speech endorsing his name as the Prime Minister. Modi held Nitish’s hand to prevent him from touching his feet. But the moment caught on camera and watched by those in the press gallery and hall decipher meaning of this deference.
In the central hall, the gathered audience were the winners from the BJP, and ally parties, BJP office bearers, and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states. After Modi’s name was endorsed, leaders came in row to greet him. Modi patted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s back as an apparent gesture of support. The warmth in Modi’s gesture meant that Yogi was supported even after unsatisfactory performance for the party in the state.
A much more enthusiastic pats on New Delhi seat winner Bansuri Swaraj’s head were seen as a blessing for the rising star of the party in Delhi. Bansuri is already talked about as possible counter to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the state elections next year.
During the NDA’s endorsement, all key allies who had won elections were seated along with Modi to endorse latter’s announcement as Prime Minister. However, NDA ally Jayant Chaudhary, who heads RLD and won two seats, was not part of it. It set the tongues wagging and set off a chain of taunts for Jat leader on the social media.
The government has picked up Sunday, 7.15 pm as the suspicious time of swearing-in ceremony of Modi and his cabinet colleagues. The invitation of elected heads of neighbouring countries is meant to signal, neighbourhood first, emphasis by the Modi government. Who eventually is called to take oath would then decide the graphs of many leaders and the contours of the NDA government.
