THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the nation witnessed Narendra Modi taking oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India in a ceremony like never before at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the NaMo wave also hit the city. Though the lotus failed to bloom in the state during the Lok Sabha polls, the mood was upbeat at the BJP State office with a big screen set up that streamed live the swearing-in ceremony of Modi.
The saffron wave truly hit the city, as TV sets were placed at most of the junctions by BJP workers and ‘payasam’ and ‘laddu’ were distributed as part of the celebration. Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, the workers celebrated by bursting crackers at various parts of the city. “We don’t want to concentrate the celebrations to a particular area of the city. There were celebrations at around 2,000 places across the district. The festivities were organised by the respective area committees. Everyone wanted to be a part of the celebrations,” said V Rajan, a BJP worker in the city.
Among the enthusiasts in the city were also the younger lot with many feeling that NaMo is a welcome change who could lead the country to greater heights. Jithin S, a second year BCom student of Mar Ivanios College, feels this is just the beginning of the glory years that the nation badly needed. “This mandate marks a new beginning in the country’s growth. Expectations are certainly high, and I have faith that Modi will deliver. As the youth of the country, we would like to look upon a dynamic Prime Minister who can represent our country, and Narendra Modi fits this role perfectly,” said Jithin S.
Ajith Menon, another BJP worker in the city, who was busy arranging flags near the Kalabhavan theatre felt that BJP stands a good chance in the state in the coming years. “Kerala has been one of the few states where BJP couldn’t win a single seat. It is sad, but then the close battles fought by O Rajagopal and others reflect the fact that times are changing and the future is definitely bright for BJP in the state. The process will take time, but then this shift in power at the Centre will only help us in the state,’’ said Ajith.