PM Modi Exclusive Interview To ABP: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an exclusive interview to ABP Network spoke about the moment when he was informed of his first full-election win. He said he was unaware of the BJP's lead over the Opposition until the party crossed a two-thirds majority. Narendra Modi, who became the CM of Gujarat in 2001, entered the assembly by winning the Rajkot II seat in a bypoll.
Speaking to ABP Network's Rohit Saval, Romana Isar Khan, and Suman De, PM Modi said: "I am extra cautious on results day and tend to stay away from the numbers, etc. On the votes counting day, I increase the time of my meditation and other daily works. On counting day, no one is allowed in my room or to call me."
Recalling the results day of the Gujarat Assembly Elections on December 15, 2001, PM Modi said he was sitting in his room at the Gujarat CM's official residence when the counting of votes was taking place. Describing the historic elections that shaped Modi's rise as one of the most powerful figures in world politics, the Prime Minister said, "The Election Commission was troubling me a lot, creating obstacles for me at every step. People told me that it was difficult for me to win. I said 'we shall see'. I sat in my room at the CM's residence. I did not take any calls."
"Around 1.30 PM, I heard drums being played outside. So I called someone to ask what the matter was. He brought a letter, saying that the party workers wanted to congratulate me. That was the first time I got a hint of the results. I told them to get a good garland and a box of sweets. I would first garland Keshubhai Patel [Modi's predecessor] before celebrating our win," He said.
PM Modi said that he has continued the tradition till date. "I still keep away from exit polls and numbers. Even on results day, I tend to stay away till the win is absolutely confirmed," he said.
PM Modi Exclusive Interview: FULL COVERAGE
How Modi Beat The Odds In Gujarat In 2001
His ascent to the CM's chair was followed by a turbulent period for the BJP, which was staring at a poor show in the 2002 assembly polls. Allegations by the Congress that the incumbent CM (Modi's predecessor Keshubhai Patel was inept and had been unsuccessful in properly handling the aftermath of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake that claimed nearly 20,000 lives in Gujarat had rocked the BJP. Moreover, the Congress accused Keshubhai Patel of failing to curb the rising corruption.
Moreover, his failing health became a concern for the BJP, which was hit by back-to-back problems in Gujarat that started with Shankarsinh Vaghela's rebellion immediately after the BJP's first win in the Gujarat Assembly Elections.
As the BJP leadership began its hunt for a new CM's face for the Gujarat elections, Narendra Modi, who had already manoeuvred through party ranks to become its general secretary, threw in his hat. While senior leaders suggested that he become Gujarat's Deputy CM, Modi refused. He said he would become the CM or not be in the government at all.
The party, helmed then by the likes of Lal Krishna Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Venkaiah Naidu, had no choice other than to make him the CM and on October 7, 2001, he was sworn in as the CM.
He faced his first major challenge right after he became the CM, in an election year, in the form of the 2002 Gujarat riots. He was accused of not doing enough to prevent the widespread violence that scarred Gujarat for a long time.
This led many to believe that he wouldn't win the elections held later that year. But Modi beat the odds to bag a victory, riding on a pro-Hindutva poll campaign.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign is seeing glimpses of his alleged anti-Muslim stance, with the Opposition seeking to corner him over his poll speeches that featured words like 'ghuspaithiya [intruders]' for Muslims, and allegations of the Congress wanting to snatch the 'mangalsutras' of Hindu women to distribute them among Muslims.