Celebrations galore as Modi sits on PM chair

Celebrations erupted in the national capital and other parts of the country as Narendra

Modi was sworn in as prime minister on Monday 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.

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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 sarkaar," the BJP leader said.

Also with the wishes came the hopes of the regional leaders that the new central government will fulfil their long standing demands.

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"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.

Denied of any relief from the UPA-II government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too pinned her hopes on the new BJP government.

"They (the Centre) were taking away all the money. The new government is coming; let's see what happens," Banerjee, who has been critical of Modi and skipped the swearing in ceremony, said at a government function.

Virbhadra Singh said that Modi was well aware of the problems of the people of Himachal Pradesh and its topography and expressed hope that the state would get special central assistance under the new government.

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BJP supporters danced to the beats of drums and hoisted party flags on their houses.

"Everyone is in such a celebratory mood. The people are excited and the energy here is electric," Kavita Sharma, a BJP worker, said in Delhi.

Some workers from neighbouring cities like Gurgaon, Rohtak and Noida also headed for Delhi's BJP office where they watched live telecast of Modi's swearing-in ceremony on a LED screen.

"I am ecstatic to be here on such an important occasion. Today is a memorable day. Narendra Modi is our leader and he will take India to new heights," said Shambu, a BJP worker who had travelled from Rohtak.

In UP, BJP workers distributed sweets among school children in Ghaziabad and other districts.

BJP workers organised several events in Modi's home state of Gujarat. A fireworks display was organised at 6.30 pm at Naranpura crossroads and Vyas Wadi area hereunder the Naranpura assembly seat, held by Modi's right hand man Amit Shah.

BJP Yuva Morcha celebrated the day by distributing sweets and organising rallies across Gujarat.