Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that he sensed a "massive Modi government wave" as parts of India voted in the first round of the national election.
"Which way the winds are blowing, can be seen from your enthusiasm. Today voting is taking place in the first phase in some parts of the country. From what we know so far, a zabardast (massive) wave for 'phir ek baar Modi Sarkar (Modi government again)' is visible," PM Modi said at a rally in Silchar in Assam.
He said the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance would win all five seats of Assam, in which voting took place today. The state will vote in two more rounds.
In Assam, home to tea gardens and the core of the tea industry, the PM focused on the "chaiwala" narrative and targeted the Congress.
"Those who have been born with golden spoons can only taste the tea. They don't understand how one's hands are cut while picking the tea leaves or how chemicals can cause diseases..."
The Congress, said the Prime Minister, had "hatred" towards chaiwallas. "Earlier I thought they attacked me only because I am one. But the Congress has not even looked at the tea gardens of Assam and Bengal in decades," PM Modi said.
Ninety-one constituencies in 18 states and two union territories voted in the first round of staggered elections that end on May 19. Voting also took place for four state assemblies.
The results will be declared on May 23.
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