MODI MANIA: 10 candid moments from the Rewari rally

Narendra Modi had the attention of the whole of Haryana on Sunday as he made his first pitch for the top job in New Delhi after being anointed as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate for 2014.

He struck a deep chord with his 1.5 lakh strong audience, largely comprising ex-servicemen in Rewari, Haryana as he lauded their sacrifices and narrated stories about his childhood aspirations to serve the nation.

And the rally was not all about Modi’s gripping 65-minute speech. There was dancing and clapping and more. Here are some pictures that capture the upbeat mood in Rewari on one of its most happening Sundays.

Sporting a traditional padagi and a pair of sunglasses, it was difficult to miss this Modi fan at the rally.

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Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi raises his hands as he hails the contribution of the armed forces during his hour-long speech in Rewari, Haryana on Sunday. The crowd clapped and cheered, 'Modi, Modi' often during his address. 

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A band plays the drums, dhols and bagpipes at the venue of Modi’s rally in Haryana. It definitely wasn't a lazy Sunday here!

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Locals from Rewari climb on bamboo standees to catch a glimpse of Modi. Many of them, fans of the Gujarat CM, were trying to record the speech on their cellphones as the police managed the crowds.

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Modi shakes hands with retired servicemen, who appear to be extremely delighted to meet him.  

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It was a packed venue in Rewari as Modi took to the stage. Over 1.5 lakh people gathered to hear the speech.

The media enclosure was overflowing as reporters took notes and photojournalists struggled to get a shot of Modi.

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Wearing Modi masks, many of his supporters came hours before the speech to the venue so that they could get a good view of the leader.

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Modi chats with former army chief V K Singh during the rally.

Sharing the stage with the BJP strongman, Singh said, that the government who was responsible for weak foreign policies needed to be changed.

Singh said that it was indeed a historic occasion to see so many former soldiers present there.

He asked everyone to be silent for 30 seconds in remembrance of those soldiers who had fought for the country. "Our soldiers believe that the nation is first always. I salute our soldiers," he added.

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Ex-servicemen, many of them proudly wearing their medals, others donning caps, posed for shutterbugs at the rally.

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Ace shooter and former Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is the latest entrant in the party. He took voluntary retirement last week from the Indian Army to join the BJP and was seen sharing the dais with Modi on Sunday.

Modi made a mention of him in his speech. “….(Rathore) who brought glory to the country with his Olympic medal.. can't more soldiers do it,” Modi said, as he spoke about the invaluable contributions made by servicemen to the nation.    

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