NEW DELHI: It was a small get-together organised by civic authorities in Chandigarh in the 1990s. The star attraction was a Congress stalwart who would later handle important responsibilities at Centre. While all eyes were focused on him, the Congress neta was struck by an unknown figure quietly seated in the last row with BJP figures. Curious, he inquired from his BJP contacts about the man sporting a salt-and-pepper beard. "He is Narendra Modi . It is not surprising that you don't know him. But soon, you will find yourself dealing with him," the BJP person said to introduce the man who had just taken over as general secretary in charge of Haryana .
It was the beginning of Modi's dizzyingly successful political innings as he worked to consolidate BJP's footprint in Haryana politics, boosting the morale of cadres that they should strive to win on their own and not live in a comfort zone, playing second fiddle to others.
Modi dedicated himself to building a support base from ground up and Haryana is one region where he has worked extensively since 1999 when he was a BJP general secretary.
The result of his lifelong dedication is reflected in the historic mandates he and BJP have received poll after poll and the 2024 elections is the latest addition to his tally of triumphs.
Modi addressed four rallies in the state, including the last one in Palwal where the tent was jam-packed and the responsive crowd chanted, "Bharosa dil se... BJP phir se."
BJP's hat-trick in Haryana came after the party's below-par performance in LS polls prompted a section of political pundits to draw a hasty conclusion that BJP's days were numbered and that Modi's popularity was on the wane. However, the party under Modi not only won the LS polls but registered victories in eight assembly polls in the last 12 months of which Haryana is the latest.
"You all know Haryana is my second home," Modi said at an event in Haryana. His 'second home' hasn't disappointed him.
It was the beginning of Modi's dizzyingly successful political innings as he worked to consolidate BJP's footprint in Haryana politics, boosting the morale of cadres that they should strive to win on their own and not live in a comfort zone, playing second fiddle to others.
Modi dedicated himself to building a support base from ground up and Haryana is one region where he has worked extensively since 1999 when he was a BJP general secretary.
The result of his lifelong dedication is reflected in the historic mandates he and BJP have received poll after poll and the 2024 elections is the latest addition to his tally of triumphs.
Modi addressed four rallies in the state, including the last one in Palwal where the tent was jam-packed and the responsive crowd chanted, "Bharosa dil se... BJP phir se."
BJP's hat-trick in Haryana came after the party's below-par performance in LS polls prompted a section of political pundits to draw a hasty conclusion that BJP's days were numbered and that Modi's popularity was on the wane. However, the party under Modi not only won the LS polls but registered victories in eight assembly polls in the last 12 months of which Haryana is the latest.
"You all know Haryana is my second home," Modi said at an event in Haryana. His 'second home' hasn't disappointed him.
