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I am not bigger than BJP, says Modi

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BS Reporter Ahmedabad
Last Updated : Jan 19 2013 | 10:08 PM IST
 An emotional Modi, while addressing the legislators, spoke about the issue of his perceived larger-than-life image. "Those who say Modi is bigger than party do not know the history of BJP and Jan Sangh," Modi said.

 "Son cannot ever be bigger than a mother," an emotional Modi said, suggesting that he cannot be bigger than the party.

 Modi also had a dig at the media saying, "My image appears to be bigger because of the limitation of your lenses that stop at me. If you were to widen your focus, you could see thousands of BJP workers who have lifted me up on their shoulders."

 Modi also said: "In the days of Jan Sangh, candidates of the party used to lose their deposits in most of the elections. At that time, many dedicated workers and families sincerely worked for the party."

 Modi will be sworn in as Chief Minister tomorrow for the third consecutive term.

 Modi (57) will be sworn in by Governor Naval Kishore Sharma at 1250 PM at the Sardar Patel stadium after he was unanimously elected as the leader of the Gujarat BJP Legislature Party today.

 All the 117 newly-elected BJP MLAs held a meeting at the Town Hall here where they chose Modi as their leader. The meeting was also attended by senior BJP leaders Arun Jaitley, who is party's in-charge of Gujarat, and Venkaiah Naidu.

 Modi's swearing-in ceremony will coincide with the birthday of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Modi was scheduled to be sworn in on December 27.

 Modi first became Chief Minister in early 2001 after Keshubhai Patel was asked to quit following the state government's alleged mishandling of the post-earthquake situation in the state. His second stint started in 2002 when he led the party to a thumping victory winning 127 seats in the elections held a few months after the communal riots.

 Modi, earlier in the day, handed over the resignation of the entire state cabinet to Governor Naval Kishore Sharma after the present term of the government ended today.

 While accepting the resignations, Sharma asked Modi to continue as the "care-taker" Chief Minister till the new government is formed. (PTI)

 FULL COVERAGE: GUJARAT VERDICT

 

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First Published: Dec 24 2007 | 7:20 PM IST

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