Did my job well: Modi to party

The Chief Minister at least four times reminded the party leadership of "jimmedari/dayitva (responsibility)" well executed by him in Gujarat, which was assigned to him about 12 years ago.

"As a party worker, I have come to share my performance report. During the 12 years of rule (in Gujarat), I have tried to execute whatever responsibility was entrusted to me by the BJP. The electorate of Gujarat has given its stamp on it," he reminded repeatedly at the felicitation ceremony at the BJP headquarters.

While he did not directly respond to the chorus for taking a national role in party affairs, Modi indicated willingness to take "whatever responsibility" that party deems fit for him. "As a BJP worker, whatever responsibility is given to me by the party I will fulfil them. In the past, whatever responsibilities have been given to me, I have shouldered them with full dedication," he said.

He also sought to allay apprehensions over his one-man working style that lurks on the mind of a section of party leadership. He projected himself as a polite party worker and credited the "party organisation" for his achievements.

"Never in my lifetime had I imagined being felicitated at the party headquarters. I am touched by this gesture. There is a special reason for this. I have spent some very important years of my life here — 11, Ashoka Road — in a small room)," Modi said. "It is the capability of the (party) organisation which has taken me places." He requested party workers to visit Gujarat and offer suggestions to any "deficiencies" in his governance — "if any".

While he did not make his national ambitions public directly, he trained his guns on the UPA government to highlight his national vision for development.

"A year ago, the NDC had resolved for nine per cent growth rate. But, it has got stuck at 7.9 per cent (during the Eleventh Plan period). Now, the government has even stopped thinking of nine per cent growth and reduced it to 8.2 per cent growth," he said.

"This government has summoned the entire country (all Chief Ministers) for a mere jump of 0.3 per cent," he said.

Felicitating Modi, BJP president Nitin Gadkari praised him as the "role model" of "politics of development".

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