Narendra Modi Fights Back Tears in First Speech In Parliament House

New Delhi: Shortly before emerging from the presidential palace with a letter appointing him India's next prime minister, Narendra Modi today fought back tears in his first speech in the Parliament House.

As he stepped into the Parliament building for the first time, Mr Modi, 63, bowed down and touched the ground with his forehead. (Narendra Modi's Emotional Speech: Top 5 Quotes) | (In Pics)

In the iconic Central hall, BJP's newly elected parliamentarians gave him a rousing welcome, and veteran LK Advani, who had publicly opposed the party's move to name him prime ministerial candidate before the assembly elections last year, embraced him. (Track LIVE Updates)

"Had Atal Bihari Vajpayee been in better health, his presence would have completed this moment," Mr Modi said, his voice catching.

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"It is proof of the strength of our Constitution that a man from a poor family is standing here today."

Mr Modi will be sworn in on Monday after his BJP-led coalition won a massive mandate in the national election. (Modi to Be Sworn In As India's 15th PM on May 26)

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Mr Advani, who broke down while greeting him, said, "I have a weakness..,. I am prone to tears. I thank the party and Narendra Modi for doing the kripa (benevolence) of letting me witness an unforgettable moment in our history."

Mr Modi said, "Advani ji used a word and I would request him not to use it. He said I did him kripa. Please don't use this word."

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Choked up, he looked down, paused for a drink of water and took a moment before continuing. "Can serving your mother be called kripa? Never. The BJP is my mother; it has done me the favour of giving me an opportunity to serve it."

As the camera panned to his audience, some BJP MPs were seen wiping away tears. BJP Chief Rajnath Singh, seated near Mr Modi, passed him his handkerchief.

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"You see Modi not because Modi's stature is big. You see Modi because party elders hoisted me on their shoulders," said the PM-to-be, who led the party to a historic victory; the BJP became the first party in 30 years to win a majority on its own and won 336 with its allies.

He promised MPs, "An era of responsibility has begun. When we meet in 2019, I will give you and my countrymen a report card... I will live for India." 

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Today, he avoided criticism of the outgoing Congress party, saying all of India's governments had worked for the good of the country.