Difference between Prime Ministers Modi and Vajpayee, as explained by Amit Shah

New Delhi: A "BJP worker" unfurling the flag at the Red Fort was a big high for party workers, said BJP chief Amit Shah, on Friday. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who too underscored his simple background and said in his unscripted Independence Day speech, "It is a tribute to Indian democracy that a person from a poor family, an ordinary family, is addressing the nation from the Red Fort today."

Mr Shah noted that though Mr Modi was the second BJP prime minister to deliver a speech from the historic Red Fort after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, there was a "very big difference."

"Atal Bihari Vajpayee also hoisted the flag as a BJP worker. But the difference between him and Narendrabhai is that the BJP government has a majority," said Mr Shah, who has for years been Mr Modi's closest aide.

"After a long time, a very good day has come for BJP workers," said the BJP chief, who took charge of the party only last month and faces the immediate task of scripting a winning formula for it in four important states where elections are due this year.

All fours states; Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir are ruled by members of the Congress-led UPA and Shah has to energise party cadres there and also in Delhi, which has been under President's rule since February and could see snap polls.

The BJP hopes to extend its substantial gains in the national elections in these state elections, which it must win to better its numbers in the Rajya Sabha, where it is in a minority and has to depend on opposition parties to push through important legislation.

In states like Maharashtra and Haryana, where it has been out power for years, the BJP also faces problems over seat sharing with allies.