Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday invoked the legacy of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee during a victory speech at the BJP party headquarters in New Delhi, as the party celebrated a strong performance across five Assembly and UT elections, including an unprecedented mandate in West Bengal. Modi said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) founder's soul would have found peace at the Bengal result.

Modi's Tribute to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee

Addressing party workers and leaders, Prime Minister Modi recalled that Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had devoted his life to keeping Bengal as an integral part of India, placing the nation above personal interests. "Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee's soul would have found so much peace today," Modi said.

He noted that in 1951, Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jan Sangh — the precursor to the BJP — with the message that every worker must "live for the country and die for the country." Modi added that Mukherjee's own life exemplified the principle that those who follow the mantra of nation above all do not hesitate to give their lives.

Bengal's 'Shadow of Fear' and a New Political Culture

Modi stated that Bengal had chosen to free itself from what he described as the "shadow of fear" under previous regimes and had reposed faith in the BJP by giving it an opportunity to serve the state. He promised to deliver the BJP model of good governance to fulfil people's dreams and aspirations.

Notably, the Prime Minister made a pointed reference to electoral violence that has historically marked Bengal polls. He highlighted that this election was different, claiming it was the first time no one lost their life during voting in the state. "For the first time, democracy won, not fear!" he declared.

Modi made a fervent appeal to all parties in Bengal to give precedence to peace over violence and bring about a paradigm shift in the state's political culture, which he said had long been dominated by fear, violence, and intimidation. He called for a political atmosphere of "hope and future" rather than violence and revenge.

BJP's National Footprint

The Prime Minister also underscored the party's expanding national presence, stating that BJP-led NDA governments are currently in power in more than 20 states. He attributed this to people's growing faith in the party's commitment to public service and good governance.

"Our mantra is — Citizen is God. We are dedicated to serving the people, and therefore, the people are placing more and more trust in the BJP. The people are clearly seeing that where there is the BJP, there is good governance. Where there is BJP, there is development," Modi said.

What Comes Next

With the Bengal mandate now secured, the BJP faces the immediate task of translating its electoral promise into governance, particularly on law and order and development delivery — areas that formed the core of its campaign pitch. The coming weeks will test whether the party can sustain the political momentum it has built across the country.