Is Narendra Modi the FACE of BJP in 2014 ELECTIONS?

Created on Sunday, 18 September 2011 23:47
Published on Sunday, 18 September 2011 23:47
Written by Punyatma Sharan, Founder/CEO - PolityIndia.Com, has a BA (Political Science) from India and MBA (Finance) from USA.

narendra_modi_sm It seems that the countdown to 2014 parliamentary elections has begun.

As soon as the Supreme Court ruled that it will no longer monitor the case against him for the communal riots at Gulbarga Society - one of the epicenters of the riots that ravaged Gujarat in 2002, killing 1180 people, most of them Muslims, Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister, was catapulted into a position of national prominence of political India. He rightly tweeted - "God is great".

The Supreme Court's verdict asks a Gujarat court to decide whether Mr Modi's role in the riots needs to be investigated. That's been quickly interpreted by the BJP and the Chief Minister as a huge vindication. "I have never seen any leader vilified and maligned in this manner, he is an outstanding leader of the party," said senior BJP leader LK Advani.

Narendra Modi decided to go on a three day fast seeking support for his sadbhavna (amity) mission for communal harmony which was attended by all the BJPs bigwigs. Even Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha sent her representatives to show her support which was also attended by the Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. It seems that BJP which is struggling with a serious issue of crisis of leadership at the top and was in dire need of a face who can lead the party in the 2014 parliamentary elections has finally found its election mascot and the prime ministerial candidate for the next parliamentary elections in Narendra Modi.

All the top BJP leaders flocked to Narendra Modi singing songs in his praise and proclaiming him as an outstanding leader. They were the same leaders who very successfully checkmated his entry into the national political scene for a very long time on one pretext or the other. Some were scared of his charismatic personality while others were using the Godhra riots to keep him out. Even US did not waste any time when it said on September 14 in the latest report by US Congressional Research Service (CRS) on India that Modi has much more potentiality than Congress's Rahul Gandhi to become the next Prime Minister of the country. Narendra Modi seems to have impressed US with his developmental and progressive works in the state. The report described Narendra Modi as the king of governance. PolityIndia.com had conducted a poll sometime back about the BJP leaders who are candidates to become India's Prime Minister. The names polled were of Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Narendra Modi and Nitin Gadkari. Narendra Modi had received 88.8 % of the votes polled.

Narendra Modi who was born on September 17, 1950 was a social and political activist from a very young age and was associated with RSS and ABVP, became the chief minister of Gujarat for the first time in 2001 and Gujarat's GDP grew by more than 10% during his first tenure. Since that time, he led BJP in winning two more elections and is the longest serving chief minister in India. Narendra Modi who has a MA in Political Science is known for leading a frugal lifestyle. He only employs a personal staff of only three people. He is known to be a workaholic Chief Minister and an introvert. Modi is considered as the singular leader of BJP in Gujarat because of his election record and having an autocratic, almost insensitive leadership manner. He ordered the demolition of many Hindu temples that were built without proper government sanction which earned him the ire of VHP. He is described as an incendiary politician.

His biggest test of his political career came in 2002 when a train carrying Hindus burned due to an accident in Godhra town leading to 59 deaths. Riots ensued after rumours spread that it was caused by Muslims in the state leading to 1180 deaths, mostly Muslims. Modi administration was accused of inaction for stopping the riots or even encouraging it. As an aftermath of the riots, there were calls for Modi to resign from his position as chief minister of Gujarat. The opposition parties stalled the national parliament over the issue and demanded his resignation. He submitted his resignation to the Governor and recommended the dissolution of the 10th Gujarat Legislative Assembly. In the following state re-elections, the BJP, led by Modi, won 127 seats in the 182-member assembly.

There is already speculation that 2014 would witness a fight between UPA led by Rahul Gandhi and NDA led by Narendra Modi. Some political parties including the JD-U, which is also a part of the NDA coalition are trying to project Nitish Kumar as the Prime Ministerial candidate. I feel that Nitish Kumar is very good and he has done an excellent job for Bihar but he simply does not have the numbers. Bihar has a total of 40 Lok Sabha seats which JD-U shares with BJP. It is about time that all the parties who are against corruption and terrorism - the biggest cancer eating up our society, should join hands and fight the elections together. There is no doubt that the 2014 parliamentary elections would be like a referendum on corruption and terrorism and it is not a secret for anyone to make a guess about the outcome of the election.

I do talk to a lot of senior leaders from both the Congress and BJP. The Congress leaders always tell me that they do not feel that Rahul Gandhi has what it takes to lead the party to victory in a general election. They even went to the extent of saying that there would be a mass exodus of Congress people from the party before the elections. BJP people always tell me that it is a big national party with no head. It seems that the party has finally found the head in Narendra Modi. He has always said that he believes in Justice for all and Appeasement of none and this definitely has all the ingredients of a mass appeal. All the major political parties should always remember that conflict makes good politics but it does not translate into good policies and it is policies and not politics which makes or breaks a country. As Shakespeare said - Words matter but action is eloquence.

Comments

+1 # Ajay Gupta 2011-09-19 04:52

It is time for someone with a spine to take up the job of the Prime Minister if India has to have any standing in the world stage and to tackle the key problems it faces in today's day and age. Modi is one such huge figure who can certainly take us forward with an iron hand associated with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

# Aman Singh 2011-09-19 22:25

Modi is undoubtedly the best chief minister in India. One thing which I liked about him is that he does not indulge in appeasement politics. I perceived that Sadbhavana rally in bits and pieces reflected an effort of appeasement. The group of people he tried to appease will never vote for him. He should protect the vote of people who supported him. He should not jump in the race of PM for now. He should let some moderate face to represent BJP and he should blindly support that face. Like what Advani did. It will be good for India and BJP and for Mr Modi( my favorite leader).

# Rakhee Sharma 2011-09-21 00:49

I am of the opinion that India needs a leader who would make all Indians proud of their country and Narendra Modi is that person. India has seen a lot of divisive electoral politics and I am sure that if Narendra Modi becomes the PM, he will do things for India and not try to appease or displease any particular section of the society.

# Anamika Mishra 2011-09-21 00:55

There is one thing for sure. If Mr Modi becomes PM, there would not be any terrorist attack on India. If there is one, he would go after them and make sure that they are punished in the shortest possible time.

# Atul Shastri 2011-09-21 01:01

If BJP wants to come to power, they should have Narendra Modi as the PM candidate. We all should elect Modi and save India. Punyatma's analysis is perfect.

# A K Singh 2011-09-21 04:55

I feel Modi can be the best PM for the country. However, seeing the pattern of the voting and politics of appeasement, it seems a distant dream. BJP does not go down in its status for vote bank politics. Ther are not dirty dealers else Mr Vajpayee won't have lost by one vote in LS. Whereas Congress is a group of dirty players, corrupt politicians and goons ready to do anything with might or right. People of India generally forget the dirtiest rules of Congress in terms of worst of riots, loots, anarchy and bad governance as BJP fails to keep them live at the same time contrary is not true. We just hope at least the Congress don't come back to power.

+1 # Kalpana Rastogi 2011-09-21 14:51

There is nothing which comes in his way. Excellent governance, except that one dark spot which the anti BJP will never let fade off. The Congress has so many riots to its credit but when it comes to riots, Gujarat riots is made to be the biggest. The minority in Gujarat are equally prosperous and happy because they are given equal opportunity and encouragement. At least one thing is for sure, he will tackle both corruption and terrorism - the two devils which need to be immediately tackled. If only all of us could understand the priorities right now. He is a man with an iron hand which is the need of the hour. He is a man with experience and certainly should be given a chance. There are certain issues on the borders also which need tough handling. We need to address these issues not just let them pass by. I was not a great fan of his but the prevailing situation in the country made him look apt. We just don't need honest good men as Prime Minister. We need good administrators who can take charge of the country.

# Rakesh Ojha 2011-09-22 15:41

I think we need the strong leadership who has the vision for the development of the country and Mr.Modi could be the best candidate for the PM post. After the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, we have not seen any such leaders in India.

# Neeraj Gosain 2011-09-22 16:58

Hi Ojha Ji - I agree that we need a strong and dynamic leader to run this country now.

# Rakesh Ojha 2011-09-22 17:12

Thank you Gosain Jee for your nice comment - Let's start the awareness compaign and spead the message using this website. The people who love this country must support this campaign.

+1 # Mukta Dhar 2011-09-23 18:24

I have my serious doubts if Narendra Modi is the face which can bring BJP to power. I also agree that neither Arun Jaitley nor Sushma Swaraj has the national appeal. We should keep looking for someone who can lead India - honestly and diligently.

# Kalpana Singh 2011-09-23 18:35

It seems that the Congress party is gasping for breadth. They are in power because there is no strong alternative. If BJP endorses Narendra Modi as their PM candidate, JD-U would leave BJP. My suggestion to BJP would be to leave JD-U and pick Mr Modi as their candidate. JD-U is also in the same business as the Congress party for political gains...appease ment of Muslims.

# Ajay Chopra 2011-09-23 18:37

It is time to bury UPA and give the country's governance to BJP led NDA.

+1 # Pramod Kumar 2011-11-25 18:32

Congress has no right to rule the country...as it is making a mistake in trying to cover it by another mistake. Neither Indira Gandhi nor her family members are of Gandhi family...it is all about cheap politics of Congress. Still, Sonia can't give public speeches fluently without placing papers before her. India is looking forward to the iron and giant man to rule and make it proud and that is none other than our NARENDRA MODI ji...I announce if he becomes PM, I would sacrifice my life for Modi ji...I want to become his left and right hand and be his bodyguard...if he permits. By doing this, I proudly get into the shoes of Modi ji's security...Jai Shri Krishna...Bhara t Mata ki jai...long live Modi ji...Jai Hind.

# Kamal Mohan 2012-02-13 12:53

It goes without saying that Mr.Narendra Modi it the most outstanding personality of Indian Politics. A leader like him is essential for a secular country like India. He is the only one who is rightly eligible for becoming PM of India. Considering his acheviments as a leader and developments, all Indian has to vote and elect NM to the PM chair. No doubt we can build up a better India in his hands. Requesting all to support NR and BJP - Jai Hind.

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