7-Most Important Things You Should Know About Narendra Modi
Must you not know why you love or loath #NaMo – more commonly known by his full name Narendra Modi.
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fter you read these 7-Most important things about Narendra Modi you will no longer wonder why you loved him – or loathed him.
Clear your ideas about Narendra Modi.
1. From CM-to-PM
If Narendra Modi does succeed in his Prime Ministerial bid, he will India’s first Prime Minister (PM) who progressed from a party worker to a Chief Minister onto become the Prime Minister.
Narendra Modi’s move from CM to PM will not be an ‘accidental’ PM, as some of the other PMs. Like Deve Gowda (Karnataka-CM -11 December 1994 – 31 May 1996), Chandrasekhar (never a CM per Wikipedia), Choudhary Charan Singh (UP CM-18 February 1970 – 1 October 1970; 3 April 1967 – 25 February 1968), VP Singh (UP CM – 9 June 1980 – 19 July 1982), IK Gujral (never a CM per Wikipedia).
Narendra Modi’s kind of career progression, from party worker-to-minister-to-Chief Minister-to-probable PM candidate while logical, has never happened in India.
If it happens, it will open the minds of career politicians on possible career paths.
2. Modi’s Polity
How close is Narendra Modi to the classical Indian ideal of polity where concentration of power is impossible with wide dispersal of power, wealth and poverty – defined as Bharattantra by 2ndlook?
Narendra Modi is as far – or as near to Bharattantra, as any politician in India. After all, a fruit never falls far from the tree. Indian political parties, politicians, party workers are all part of the system – of which Narendra Modi is a product.
Narendra Modi’s activist, hands-on style makes it appear that he is more efficient – but as LK Advani pointed out, Gujarat is an already ‘efficient’ State. Modi ‘may’ lay greater ‘focus’ on agriculture, education, mega-projects, etc. Congress may ‘claim’ greater ‘commitment’ to ‘minority, women & child’ welfare, etc.
Is Modi likely to ignore ‘minority, women & child’ welfare? Unlikely, going by his sound bytes.
Is Congress likely to ignore agriculture, education, mega-projects? Unlikely, going by their manifesto and sundry noises made by talking heads.
More or less is the difference between BJP and Congress.
3. Modi As A Polarizing Figure
So, is Modi a polarizing figure?
More than 6 years ago, APJ Kalam, India’s erstwhile President suggested that India must move towards a 2-Party democracy – like the US.
This movement from multi-party democracy to a 2-party democracy calls for a kind of polarization that is now common across Desert Bloc. In Europe it is Social Democrats (represented in India by the Congress) and Christian Democrats (which is BJP in India). In the US it is Republicans and Democrats. In Britain it Conservatives versus Labour. In the Islāmic world, it is Shia vs Sunni.
Only in India has there been so many political entities with a rainbow of ideologies. Till 1977 it was Congress and the Seven Dwarfs – Congress (O), CPI, CPIM, Forward Bloc /Republican Party, Jana Sangh, Praja Socialists, Swatantra Party. In 1977, Jayaprakash Narayan worked to create an amalgam of Janata Party – which managed to oust Congress for the first time. The amalgam melted under pressures of power-jockeying by the Janata Party constituents.
Nevertheless, the 1977 Janata Party victory unleashed a spate of regional parties, that made local issues centre stage. Now for more than 30 years, no single party has won a parliamentary majority on its own steam. In such a situation, political fluidity has forced a certain kind of national consensus that ensures whichever party is in power, has to follow a broad political consensus on national policy.
More than Congress, BJP is trying to break this mold, by polarizing voters – which it hopes will be at the cost of the regional parties. Congress with the momentum of being a party in power, sees less need for this polarization right now. But that can change. For now, it is BJP which is eager for this polarization.
What are the ideological underpinning to this polarization? Nil. Zero. Zilch. 零. Nul. Null. μηδέν. ゼロ. нул. cero. It is simple power-calculus by BJP-Congress to reduce the importance of the regional parties.
4. Will Namo Polarization Strategy work?
Considering the sheer number of issues that confront India, people will choose ‘specialist’ political parties to address specific issues. Can two-party system capture all the issues that bother the Indian Voter? For now, seems unlikely.
Modi instead of chasing coalition partners, is chasing polarization!
Will this polarization strategy work?
Modi has gathered around him many Indian-Americans and it seems like this polarization idea is coming out of an Brown YummRikan Hat. Much like how some Brown YummRikans crafted the India-Shining campaign, even the current Modi strategy seems to have significant Brown YummRikan inputs.
Many of these Brown-Foreigner voices are creating a red-herring agenda for Narendra Modi. In less than 10 days, two such foreign writers expected Modi to model himself on Reagan and Thatcher. Are these foreign-consultants influencing Modi?
For instance, this revealing statement
In a democracy there will be a polarization between Democrats and Republicans.
Namo’s inspiration from US, sounds much like Advani’s call for debate with Manmohan Singh in 2009 elections – just “like in foreign countries.”
Wonder why this preoccupation by Narendra Modi with taking direction from American democracy!
5. Namo’s Message
What is Narendra Modi’s agenda? If NaMo has no defining agenda, Congress will define it.
Like 2002. Or ‘Hindu Terror’.
He says Development. Modernization. What does this mean? Will words like development, modernization enthuse the Indian Voter to stand in a line and vote for Narendra Modi?
How many Voters will stir from their houses to ‘save’ India from dynastic politics? How many Voters share Modi’s concerns about dynastic politics.
After notching up more than 75 combined man-years of governance in 12 states and the centre from 1990-2013, does BJP have to answer silly accusations about ‘secularism’?
Will Modi get more votes, if he raises the debate pitch on ‘secularism’? In a nation, where people do not bother about their neighbours religion, will speeches about secularism brings votes or boredom?
In 2009 elections, Advani raised dead topics like:
- Money in Swiss Bank (Why bother? I am not getting any of it?)
- Television debates (I doubt if he has anything interesting?)
- Terrorism (Bhai, yeh terrorism kya hota hai? Urban anxiety!)
- Strong India (Looks pretty solid to me!)
Is this anything as simple and smart as ‘Garibi Hatao’? Narendra Modi agenda as PM and his campaign has, similiar-to-Advani lack of focus.
6. Modi The Reformer
While Narendra Modi keeps making sounds about ‘minimum government, he is also admiring how the Chinese State spends an amount far bigger than India on ‘educating’ Chinese.
While data on Gujarat government has not been collated, it is also irrelevant. Narendra Modi’s policy-response as a Prime Minister are likely to be far different from his actions as Chief Minister. The change in context will surely change the response also.
Apart from paying lip-service, Narendra Modi has made no policy outline on thinning or reducing the State. Of course, one must remember that the India State is the thinnest among all major economies of the world.
7. Modi & 2002
Which party organized communal riots in response to Direct Action announced by Jinnah? Congress!
India has long history of communal riots – and Congress has used this ‘tool’ – liberally and frequently. While this is public knowledge, no one penalizes Congress for being an organizer of communal riots.
Unlike BJP, Congress has managed to keep 1984 anti-Sikh riots out of limelight – and keep the 2002 riots in full focus. Even the horrific Godhra incident has been airbrushed out of the national RAM (random access memory).
Is this the first time communal riots have happened in India? No. Is it the last time. No, to that also.
Will communal riots happen in the future. Definitely yes. Just like tension and riots are happening in Belfast. Like the US police forces are readying for race riots after Zimmerman acquittal in the Trayvon killing case.
Assuming Narendra Modi did turn a Nelson’s eye to the rioting, in previous and subsequent cases (like in Assam) did riots happen without political connivance?
2014-The Bugles Sound
Clearly, the 2014 Election Bugle has been sounded.
BJP and Narendra Modi have time to clean up their confusion.
By early announcements by the BJP, Congress has been forced to drain their venom early. Will they have the bite left, by the time elections actually happen?
Anna-Kejriwal has seen their first defection. Kiran Bedi has thrown her lot with the BJP.
Interesting times ahead, folks!
Related Articles
- Narendra Modi can’t be a leader like Vajpayee: Sachin Pilot (firstpost.com)
- Mind your language: Nitish Kumar on Narendra Modi’s ‘burqa of secularism’ jibe (ndtv.com)
- Want to attend Narendra Modi’s rally in Hyderabad? Pay Rs 5, says BJP (ndtv.com)
- India’s Narendra Modi lets politics go to the dogs – Washington Post (vote-pedia.com)
- Narendra Modi has said nothing wrong, says BSP MP (niticentral.com)
- SP and Congress comparing Muslims with dogs, not Modi: Anurag Thakur – Times of India (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- Modi will gain popularity if Cong targets him: Yashwant Sinha (ibnlive.in.com)
- BJP MP Yashwant Sinha warns his party over Modi’s comments (ibnlive.in.com)
- Burqa of secularism better than nakedness of communalism: Cong (ibnlive.in.com)
- BJYM aims to enrol one crore members, use Modi’s popularity (vancouverdesi.com)
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Read here about how the Bilderberg and Mossad created APCO Worldwide and it’s sister concern ASERO Worldwide with it’s puppet Narendra Modi has created a base in Gujarat and how it affects Indian politics and puts India’s security and resources in jeopardy.
Interesting post. Minor things jumped out as incorrect, but broadly, a thought provoker.
Also a refreshing to see a post that is neither gushing nor lynching and looks at less beaten PoVs.
Please do point out whatever is incorrect!
I make no observation at this juncture. Indian election is unlike US debate, or even nowhere near UK style. This time there is extra sweating on Congress face because of ultra support for Modi. It is partly due to Modi’s own work and partly due to congress debacles on corruption, inflation, scams, dynasty game, false support of Sonia of her corrupt son-in-law, incessant failure on governance everywhere, total failure on international fronts with India Inc losing everywhere including on Kashmir against Pakistan which is being seen largely a saleout to Pakistan if Obama gameplan succeeds, etc. This Obama gameplan is another reason of resurrecting the Ishrat genie against Modi to indict him by hook or crook so that he can be disqualified for any big post in centre. It will be pro-US. Sonia is restless because of this sinister future plan and it also explains the dubious Kashmir interlocutor selection team. One must be on look out that this UPA II doesn’t leave Kashmir politics to the brink where India will have no choice because of Pakistan’s Islamic pogrom in K-Valley. Kashmir does seem to be a ticking time bomb.
Brown YummRikans bug you more than the half-white/white Italians ruling and looting India? You really need to take a second look at your own views.
This can be added to the list of your illogical views and idiosyncracies, like having a soft spot for RoP and turning a blind eye to its current barbarism; and without rhyme or reason, taking Arun Shourie to task over his book.
Governance -Good Governance is ideology neutral -It requires vision,foresight,unbiased love for fellow citizens , ready plan&policies for action, strategies, dedication ,management/administration efficiency and ability to motivate masses .
As always an insightful analysis Anuraagji. Both BJP and Congress want to destroy the regional parties. Another potent tool they have these days is the creation of new states in the name of backwardness and regional aspirations.
Congress stoked the fires of Telangana in 2001 and turned Andhra Pradesh into a cauldron.
Anuraagji, I am looking forward to your take on the politics behind Telangana and how do you view the issue as per the principles of Bharattantra.
This issue goes to much before 2001.
Most of the Congress Freedom Fighters were from Andhra region which was for most part under British.
Telangana region was Nizam – and the participation by Nizam subjects in Freedom struggle was lesser than by the Andhra people. Remember Potti Sriramulu gave up his life on a fast unto death demanding Chennai for Andhra Pradesh – and earlier his agitation for linguistic organization of States defined the State Reorganization.
Obviously, after Independence, it were the Andhra Freedom fighters who captured power in Andhra Pradesh. Technically, Andhra Pradesh could have been Telang Pradesh also.
Having been sidelined, first by the Nizam and then by the Andhras, Telangana region leaders have been agitating for a separate Telangana from the sixties. The Telangana agitation in late sixties and early seventies was more visible and stronger.
Indira Gandhi accommodated many Telangana leaders – primarily M.Chenna Reddy into the Congress, which lessened this issue. You probably do know how M.Chenna Reddy was allowed to ‘enjoy’ the spoils of power.
From the 90s to now, the spoils of power have been cornered again by the Andhra people. Hence this issue has reared its head.
Smaller states do make certain sense – and BJP’s track record in creating smaller states has been better. Creation of Uttaranchal, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh have all been painless.
Congress which has now only a major base in South cannot afford to lose Andhra. If they allow Telangana, they will lose the new Telangana to the agitationists – and the smaller Andhra Pradesh to Andhra leaders who were anti-Telangana.
For Congress this has become a damned if you do – and damned if dont situation. If 2014 election is won by the BJP, we could see a quick surgical creation of Andhra Pradesh. In which case, Congress may want to create a Telangana before 2014 elections to keep the BJP out.
As per Bharattantra, smaller states were always better – except in the face of strong Asuric onslaughts. Maurya, Gupta empires were created during periods of Asuric onslaught – and after the recession of the Asuric threats, these empires self-liquidated.
After Indian independence we have seen strong centralization tendency – which is needed for handle the Asuric threats now. I think we are seeing the last 100-150 years of Asuric decline. And we have seen a stronger India emerge in the last 60 years – an India which will be able to keep the Asuric forces at bay.
Don’t agree with the communal riots section given here is why
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/why-memories-of-gujarat-2002-stay/article4570587.ece
@Kush –
Thank you for an excellent link that you provided.
According to Ajaz Ashraf in The Hindu, as per the link you supplied, BJP riots are
What Ajaz Ashraf has done for The Hindu and the Congress is: –
1. Draw a thin imaginary line between BJP riots and Congress riots.
2. After drawing this thin, imaginary line, he attempts to drive a huge truck through this.
3. The truck of allowing Congress riots to be overlooked as ‘tactical riots – and vilifying BJP riots as ‘strategic riots.
Now, to my desi, mand buddhi a communal riot is a communal riot is a communal riot.
Can there be a ‘good’ communal riot and a ‘bad’ communal riot?
This is exactly what we the voters have to disallow. If you are a smart voter, you won’t accept this outrage by Ajaz Ashraf and The Hindu .
1. How dare the media play favorites and create arguments for ‘innocence’ of one set of politicians and guilt for another set.
2. What are their motives? Why are Ajaz Ashraf and The Hindu giving this relief to Congress and compensate this double-standards by only villifying BJP.
BJP’s villification is deserved and justified – but the technical ‘innocence’ of Congress smells of steaming rubbish.
Of course if you are Congress activist, sympathizer, official, (declared, or closet) it is a different matter.
Hindu magazine is a pro leftist leaning paper, which has an anti-Hindu unspecified bias and a Muslim reporter is more often noticed to blurt out typical anti-Hindu manipulated news. It has been seen on several other occasions also. I may be inclined to accept a fact that BJP may not be all Saints but then we must differentiate between the two devils. In this globalised selfish world where everybody is talking of their own vested interests, then if BJP talks of Hindu rights, what could be said to be wrong? Muslims in Hyderabad can spew venomous speeches, Congress is not bothered. Even if a Muslim MP walks out with the tune of a National Anthem, it is OK. I personally think that the pejorative sentiments inflicted on the very word “Hindu” must be undone. How do you go about? The only way is assert incessantly even if someone dislikes it. Why is Narendra Modi singled out today, that too on an issue which was orchestrated in Godhra via the conduits of known brutes in Muridke aka Lashkar e Taiba aks Hafiz Saeed. Muslims have created an aura of “Self victimhood mania” and they must learn to undo it. Muslims’ behavior in UK/US is incomparable to how they behave in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh besides the dominant Darul Islam. I think time has come that Hindus must assert for their rights even if it bites some irresponsible section who knows their rights but not the responsibilities. A Hindu must learn to say as proudly a Hindu as a Muslim claims in the name of minority. Tell me a single country in the world where the Majority community is sacrificed only to sustain the minority. This is an international conspiracy, hidden in USCSRIF and the needless refusal of US Visa to Narendra Modi. Wharton controversy is said to be US officially induced politics to humiliate Modi.
Please allow me to express my own affiliation in regard to my above comment. I am neither a BJP or RSS worker nor a politician of any other hue. I am just a common man but doing investigative journalism for past about half a decade. During my pursuit of this journalism, came across a lot of horrifying historical facts. It gradually led me to more and more research and I am appalled to come across the most heinous crimes commited by the Abrahamic cults especially against the Indians (read Hindus) besides their inter-community and internecine wars that is still going on. These Abrahamics have an inherent hate against anybody they think “other”, which includes their every vested interests. Christians are said to have hundreds of denominations with differing ideologies and Muslims are not far behind, one way or the other. Jewish are a current dwindling minority who are just trying to consolidate themselves in Israel after 1948. Now left with the two powerful Abrahamic dynasties of Islam and Christianity; these both behave like delinquent children. One just need to take a look at the current wars going on in most of Islamic world that are directly or indirectly incited by the Christian West. Though US says in paper of separation of Church and state but it is far from reality in practice. Everyone having even a little idea of US politics will immediately grasp the meaning and sense behind my observation. It is a different matter, “What can you do”? OK. Then why blame Hindus or Narendra Modi or if I say proudly that I am a Hindu, what is wrong? In fact please allow me to say that my views of being a Hindu are a direct product of incessant atrocities by “these others”. I have no doubt that “these others” will help more and more “them” to be conscious of their rights. Narendra Modi is their direct byproduct and better be. In fact more and more such inciting articles are published, more these will go in favour of Hindus, I am glad. If I am felt radicalised, fault lies with “you”.
Agree with you explanation sir my point was Sajjan Kumar or Tytler aren’t contending for PM-ship while Modi is . That’s why my opposition to Modi but not to BJP per-se. I don’t sympathise with any party as they aren’t ideology based as you yourself explained so beautifully .. I am just a student 🙂 .
Sir you can put light on the geographical question ??
Your fallacious syllogism exposed when you claimed Andhra pradesh could have been named Telang pradesh ,SANGHI. And your ridiculous assertions continued in the rest of your post.
Few lies,blurred facts repeated frequently ,picked up by people with vague bonding and idea of the region and then posing off as apologists of telangana is hilarious
Focus on creating smaller states with no focus or change on administration part would be nothing but childish,immature defiance as Jharkand,Chattisgarh prove.
Kush,
“BJP’s villification is deserved and justified…”
Would you kindly elaborate it, please?
congress will win the electionbecause of one instution called reserve bank of india. look whwt this instution has done it has borrowed whopping 40 lakh crores forcongress partyin last 9years but bjp borrowed mearly borrowed6lakh croreinits seven year rule. this instutionexist forone party rule to coutnuie.this has been the experience of last 70 years alll over the world. will namo says pm said money doesnt growon tree but isay they grow in farms factory etc but look what manmohan singh has done he hasprinted 1lakh crores quietlyand borrowed whopping 40lakh croeres of public money thus growing moneyin banks. two days back rbi transferred transferred whopping 40000croreto govt of india as special dividend.doesnt indian state deserves ashare of thisas per your bharat tantra theory.inspite of this whopping share congress party demended sanction for spending extra 7500crore from parliment.as far as your two party theory is concern just look this from money lenders perspective one party which belives in govt borrowing and otherbelives in private borrowing. one one is saturated from borrowing other should continue thus giving sustainable bussiness to todays sopasticated money lendersaka rbi and its member banks.this heavy borrowing is goingtoraisetaxes in future when expontail functionof compound intrest takes over.will indians understand 40 lakhs crore borrowed today will be 80lakh crores after 7yeasr 160 lakh crores after 14 years or 320thouand crores after 20 yeras.. only other way out is to reduce intrest rate to near zero. get ready for your saVING TO EARN NEGATIVE RETURNS. JUST BINGO AND REELCT CONGRESS PARTY. WHAT CAN ISAY AA BULL MUJHE MAR.
Well, elephants are dancing on tunes of Indian Democracy.
I am not a disciple of Indian politics for a long length but this coming election in 2014 or earlier seems to one of the most invigorating once.
The fact is Modi is becoming a cult and not everyone on right hand ride may appreciate it.
For now Cong seems to be running short on answers. Regional players,(TN< AP< Kerala, Orrisa, WB) have long fought and upheld the status quo within their state, may have to look into other things.
This election will generate a behemouth of debate, data, engagement of voters.
I am looking for voter percentages and how regional parties align themselves once next Lok Sabha is formed.
Also magic figure to form the Gov seems to lie between 175 and 200.
1. My reading of the 2009-election 24-hr before the results were announced was spot on. Too early to make any sense right now.
2. This election seems a lot like the 1969 Indira-Hatao election. Indira Gandhi simply killed the Opposition by coining a slogan of Garibi Hatao. The 1969 lesson seems to be lost on current lot of politicians.
3. If the Congress-rule is so bad, and misrule is so apparent, why focus on that? If BJP performance is so good, why are they so nervous? This twin-ideas of Stupid Voter & Congress Misrule could still floor the BJP.
4. The other thing is that if MMS completes a 3rd term, he will become the longest-serving PM of India – more than either Nehru or Indira Gandhi.
SG/RG have not decided on this. They may welcome 3rd term for MMS to kill the dynasty argument.
Or
May want to deny that achievement to MMS.
But …
One thing is clear. Like the 2004 election, this election also is for the BJP to lose.
And BJP seems to be doing their best to lose the 2014-election also.
I think you missed out the most important line
One thing is clear. Like the 2004 election, this election also is for the BJP to lose.