Celebrations after Modi's swearing in, congratulations pour in

New Delhi, May 26: Celebrations erupted in the national capital and other parts of the country as Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister this evening with BJP workers and supporters distributing sweets and setting off firecrackers while greetings poured in for the new government.

BJP workers in Delhi celebrated by illuminating streets and organising public gatherings where giant screens were installed for the live telecast of swearing-in ceremony from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Rallies and human chains were also formed in many cities by the enthusiastic supporters who were preparing for the day following BJP's astounding victory in Lok Sabha polls. Chief Ministers of various states and other leaders congratulated the new government.

"I hope they hand over a better India to their successors when the time comes to do so. That's the very least we can expect or hope for," Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony, said while wishing "Team Modi the very best" on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat and his Himachal counterpart Virbhadra Singh, both of Congress, said their governments will work as a partner with the central government in the interest of their states and the country. The two leaders did not attend the ceremony.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje congratulated Modi and hoped India would emerge as the strongest nation and super-power under his leadership.

"People's dream of prosperous India, security, and self respect would be fulfilled in Modi Sarkar," the BJP leader said. Also with the wishes came the hopes of the regional leaders that the new central government will fulfill their long standing demands.

"I have greeted the new government under Narendra Modi. I once again congratulate the new government that will take charge in the evening," former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Kumar said he has "great expectations" from the new Union government and Bihar should get special category status and special package.

Kumar and Modi had not missed any opportunity to attack each other politically since last year and Modi's elevation in the BJP had prompted Kumar to pull JD(U) out of NDA in June last year after being in it for 17 years.

PTI