NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in The Hague, Netherlands, on Saturday, underscoring the significance of May 16. He noted that on this date in 2014, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) received a decisive mandate to form a stable, full-majority government, ending a decade of governance under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the Congress party.
In the 2014 general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 282 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, marking the first time since 1984 that a single party achieved a clear majority. “Today is May 16, and this day is very special for another reason as well. Twelve years ago today, on May 16, 2014, something special happened. On this very day in 2014, the results of the Lok Sabha elections were announced. After decades, it became certain that a stable and full majority government would be formed in India,” PM Modi stated.
The BJP’s seat count increased to 303 in 2019, though it faced a setback in the 2024 elections, winning 240 seats. Reflecting on his long tenure in public office, Modi remarked, “13 years as chief minister (of Gujarat), 12 years as prime minister… in the democratic world, for 25 years… the unwavering support of crores and crores of voters… this is a matter of immense good fortune for me.” He emphasized that this support transcended mere politics, describing it as an emotional bond. “For me, this is not just a number… this is your blessing, which is my greatest asset,” he added.
PM Modi is currently in the Netherlands as part of a five-nation tour. He arrived from the United Arab Emirates and is also scheduled to visit Sweden and Norway before concluding his tour in Italy.
