From the BJP podium in Delhi, 'saffron superman' Narendra Modi lays bedrock for PMship

Narendra Modi fresh from poll victory, got a rousing welcome at the BJP headquarters here today by a sizable crowd of party workers and supporters - he was in the national capital to attend the National Development Council meeting and was was felicitated by party president Nitin Gadkari.

With supporters egging him on with chants of 'PM, PM', Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi put his victory in the assembly polls squarely at his own doorstep - development work done by his government.

He was addressing a gathering of workers and leaders at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Delhi that sought to felicitate him on his win in the state.

Modi himself did little to camouflage his future ambitions, saying he will work hard to shoulder any responsibility that the party gives him.

Triumphant Narendra Modi hits Delhi

"As a BJP worker, whatever responsibility is given to me by the party I will fulfill them. In the past, whatever responsibilities have been given to me, I have shouldered them with full dedication."

"For a dozen years, I and my government have done hard work and the people of Gujarat have voted for us because of that," he said as cheers lustily broke out.

Old timers pointed out that it was after several years that such an enthusiastic crowd, estimated to be around 1,500, gathered at the party headquarters.

BJP leaders in the gathering were clearly seen as uncomfortable as the demand for the party to name Modi its prime ministerial candidate grew shriller.

Under-fire BJP chief Nitin Gadkari was the first to take to the stage at the event and was fulsome in his praise saying Modi had given an invaluable 'tohfa' (gift) to the party.

However, the crowd, consisting mostly of party workers from Delhi and Haryana, made it clear that Modi is their hero, forcing Gadkari into the shadows.

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