Impressed by Modi's inclusive, conciliatory statements: Shashi Tharoor

New Delhi: While many were moved to tears after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emotional speech in Parliament at the BJP's Parliamentary party meeting, the Congress wasn't far behind. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that he was impressed by Modi's speech.

"I am impressed by Narendra Modi's conciliatory and inclusive statements. We must ensure he lives up to them and works for the benefit of all Indians," Tharoor tweeted on Wednesday.

This came a day after Narendra Modi impressed many with his address at the BJP Parliamentary party meet. Modi in his first speech after being elected as the leader of the parliamentary party thanked the BJP members. He specifically mentioned the names of LK Advani and former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee saying, "If Atalji's health permitted and if he was here, it would have been like the icing on the cake."

He then went on to talk about his responsibilities towards the party and to the country. "Responsibilities are bigger than posts. I have never gone after posts. We will have to dedicate ourselves to fulfil the responsibility given to us," Modi said.

He also stated how he has tirelessly worked for the BJP's victory since the day he was named the Prime Ministerial candidate of the party. "On September 13, I was chosen the PM candidate by the party, I started on my campaign work from the 15th. As a hard working party worker I made sure I didn't waste a single minute of my time," Modi said.

This was when he broke down and pleaded to Advani to not use the word 'kripa' (favour), for what he sees as his service to the party. "Can serving the mother be a favour? A son is only dedicated to serve the mother. The favour has been done by the party. Like the country, the BJP too is my mother," Modi said.

A confident Modi, then went on to say that he will work hard and present his report card in 2019 when it's time for the next Lok Sabha elections. "When we meet again in 2019, I will present my report card again. I won't live for myself, but will live for the country," Modi said.

"Today I'm standing before you as the son of a poor man. This is the strength of our democracy. A government should think of the poor, work for the poor and live for the poor. The new government is dedicated to the poor, the youth and mothers and sisters," he added.