Narendra Modi vs Nitish Kumar
Now many of us in the subcontinent love to hate the overweening power of television, arguing that it focuses on the trivial and the sensational, as it races towards the weekly ratings chart.
But in the last few days, television has performed an untold service simply by keeping the camera on Modi and broadcasting, live, the changing dynamics between him and a fawning BJP leadership. From 83-year-old LK Advani to senior leader Arun Jaitley, they all invoked Modi’s greatness in leading India to new horizons.
Modi kept a straight face throughout, accepting gifts of shawls and head-gear from all communities with perfect aplomb, as if he were being crowned. He and his media-savvy partymen invited every major TV channel to interview him. We all saw how Modi touched his mother’s feet, received her blessings, and only then began his fast.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had sent two emissaries, and Akali Dal Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal flew to Ahmedabad just so he could hug Modi in person.
Only Nitish Kumar didn’t show up.
It must have really hurt, but Modi is made of sterner stuff. Even if you try and spoil his party, he will simply smile and tell you that Ratan Tata as well as the Americans believe that Gujarat is a safe and happy and prosperous state and will continue to lead India’s socio-economic indicators in the years to come.
Truth is, Modi is right. Tata moved his eponymous small car factory, the Nano, after he was thrown out of West Bengal three years ago, to Gujarat. And in the last week, WikiLeaks have told us that Washington believes that it is Modi, not Rahul Gandhi, who will be the next prime minister of India.
Now everyone is entitled to their views, including the Americans, and here I will offer up thanks that they don’t vote in the Indian elections — at least not yet. But the one fact that shines forth at the end of Modi’s three-day fast is that while he is a formidable politician, in the foremost ranks of the BJP leadership and Gujarat’s Number One citizen — he hasn’t charmed the rest of India yet.
Make no mistake, India’s heart still beats for the secular man or woman. India gave the Congress party a second opportunity to make good when it returned to power in 2009, but from all accounts it seems bent upon squandering the enormous goodwill.
Atal Behari Vajpayee knew that if he wanted to rule India, he had to become bigger than the BJP. That is why, in the wake of the Gujarat riots, he advised Modi to invoke the ‘rajdharma,’ literally, the rule of the King over all his subjects — Hindu and Muslim, upper and lower caste, tribal and urban.
By arresting the riot victims, Modi has shown us that he’s not listening to Vajpayee. That is why it is even more important, henceforth, to pay heed to what Nitish Kumar is doing.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2011.
COMMENTS (23)
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The divide has been becoming more and more off late. Modi being shunned by Nitish, and Advani being shunned by Bhagwat. Knowing that modi has ties with bhagwat and nitish with advani. I do not understand how the BJP can be functioning in such a haphazard manner. Someone please instill some sense of reality in them, which is this, the masses can see the political party functioning erratically, without any central authority or course of action..
Well the author has missed few things........a party needs above 50% of seats to form a goverment, the chances of BJP alone getting 250+ seats is a tough task, so even if BJP wants to have Mr.Modi as PM....it would need whole heartedly support of the NDA.... so Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, AIADMK & probably MNS are ready to back Mr.Modi for PM(as this party dont have a huge muslim electorate as votebank)
Parties like BJD,TDP,JDU, AGP which can have 75to 90 seats between them, and could be part of NDA goverment formation (TDP, BJD & AGP are anti Congress...but have muslim as votebank and electorates) would be hesistant to openly support Mr.Modi and so Nitish has a chance to get top job.
Parties like SP, BSP, NC which can sway their loyalty to any formation...NDA or UPA would prefer Nitish as PM in case of tight fight between NDA and UPA.
In terms of adminstrator both person Mr.Modi and Nitish are better than leaders from Congress and would take the top rank even among NDA leaders. (Their state are testimony of it).
I cant predict the future...but two party that is sure to loose a lot of seat is Congress & DMK...not sure of other parties of UPA - TC, NCP.
So let see which leader leads India to next decade.
New generation Indians are progressive people..They like leaders like Narender Modi & Nitish Kumar thats why they are in power and with no anti-incumbency.
Regarding Modi work & acheivement as a leader, administrator & an able statesman he had shown what he can for the state of Gujarat and rest of India, His database for the Gujarat-model of development can be applied for the rest of the country which Indians strongly believe and Indians love Modi as a leader and Prime Minister across all religions & classes.
Infact Nitish and Modi are in constant touch on how to implement different successful schemes of Gujarat in Bihar. But for Bihar to transform from grass roots it will take time to transform the state..and already the results and change is visible in Bihar and our Common working Bihari brothers have started working along with government and enjoying the changes.
People of India are unable to understand why Amethi or Rae-bareily are not developed like Gujarat inspite of Congress leadership is holding the seats from generations for that matter in the power of Indian parliamentary democracy for over 50 years.
Congress should start comming out of communal politics and adopt the Modi & Nitish way of developmental politics.The Gujarat muslims had extended their full support to the Modi government which is evident in 2009 Assembly elections as they started seeing for the first time what development means without appeasement and along with minstream and with no separation with a feeling as minorities...I am sure the author of the above article acknoledges these facts..Sincerely Your's,
Problem for majority people in India is that even though people are fed up with current establishment, we don't have any other options to vote especially at national level. Congress is the ONLY truly national and inclusive party in India (where corrupt people of all castes and religions can get power). . All other parties are either petty regional or caste based parties. . Communists and BJP can claim to be national level parties but only in theory.
Communists are confined to 3 states and their ideology is not compatible with Indian psyche so they can never be truly national level party (which is a good thing). So practically it is a regional party.
BJP although claims to be national level party is perceived as a caste based party serving interests of certain caste groups. For years it was referred as Brahmin Baniya Party. So practically it is India's largest caste based party. Now there are other caste based parties as well, and sometimes they do manage to get power by being inclusive for political purposes, e.g. BSP which started as Dalit party and had a slogan of 'brahmin, baniya, thakur chor....' managed to get votes of brahmins against yadav-Muslim anarchy in UP. but problem is BJP has occupied the space of national level opposition and at the same time they are not willing to give up their upper caste attitude even as a public mask. Modi could be useful for them, being hardline Hindu nationalistic face and at the same time apparently not from brahmin-baniya-thakur group of castes.
@Bruteforce - I never heard of a formal apology from Modi. What are you talking about?
@Everyone - When I said "Modi will not become PM", I was not being egotistic. I was basing my statement on the belief that my countrymen would show that they would never want a communal leader.
Madam: As usual your thoughts are not very clear. If you are saying Modi won't become PM because he is communal that won't be right. He'll become the PM if BJP got majority.
The reality however is, BJP won't get a majority. In which case allies will force a non-Modi PM. But, for that to be Nitish Kumar is a far stretch!! Nitish has no standing beyond Bihar, besides, BJP will not allow a non-BJP PM if it only needs 10-20% external support.
But, the real question is if India would be better under Modi. I believe it may be so. But, the question also is whether it is worth the risk to have Modi as PM, considering the stigma of communalism he carries.
A PM of India should be someone who all of India can accept, even if they haven't voted for him or his party. That is why Sonia Gandhi wasn't a good choice for PM (her foreign origin being unacceptable to many). Similarly, I don't think Modi should be BJP's choice for PM, because there is considerable section who won't accept of him as PM.
@progressive_Pakistani: But if he does not improve from his image of anti Muslim and hard core religious leader, he faces bumpy road ahead. Don't you worry on this account. We Indians have faced even worst bumpy roads!
He needs to come clean on his past and ask for apology for his acts against Muslims of India. There is nothing to come clean on. As far as "apology" is concerned, I wouldn't hold my breath, if I were you or any Indian Muslim or any Muslim anywhere. "As neighboring country,we Pakistanis also want a liberal,secular and pro_peace leader to come into power in India " Who comes to power in India next should be the least cause for your worry in Pakistan, if you know what I mean!
@Pradeep: "The Gujarat riots are a black mark in the secular history of my country and I am ashamed of it. I request my Muslim countrymen to be magnanimous and forgiving." History of any country is the bald recitation of facts. There is no such thing as "secular history" because definition of secularism is highly subjective. What you call secularism , others call vote-bank politics by Muslim appeasement. If Gujrat riots are a black mark, how do you characterize Godhra burnings? If one of your relatives had been in that burning bogey, would you still consider that retaliatory action as a black mark? Self defence is supreme gift of God to Mankind. Do not trivialize it! No one would care to stop you from falling on your knees before your "Muslim countrymen" and seek forgiveness and magnanimity. The fact that Narendra Modi has won every election since should point out to you that you will probably be quite alone in that prostration and penance. "Modi will never become the PM of my country." I thought it was only Sonia Ghandy that was in the business of appointing India's PM's!
@progressive_Pakistani:
Its an internal matter of India, why you trolls interfere ?
Sorry mate, try to post as some of your country men. As for as Modi is concerned, I expect a man like him to manage my country as he refers himself as CEO, India Inc. !
@Pradeep .. You seems to be talking on behalf of the whole country of India.. Calm down your emotions for the minorities... If all politicians talk about Minorities..who will talk about the majorities... So my take on this issue is ... Whole India is waiting for Modi's candidature for PM's Post... And That day will be a big day for Secular credential of the country.... Long Live Mr Modi.. Long Live India..
Honesty, India is really complicated. They will be same even after 100 years.
@hrr: You are unreasonable in your expectation from 'liberal' journalists.
@Pradeep: Whether Modi becomes a PM or not will be decided by the electorate. You are, however, free to have your opinion and wishes.
Madame why cant you high light the sufferings of the Pandits from Kashmir who are living in tents out side their state after they were chased out. All of you the pseudo secularists want to do away with Modi at any cost the only one goal to be achieved forgetting the series of scams destroying the country pushing the already poor people into penury further who are living on false promises bu the royalty congress for decades.
It will be a black day in India if Modi becomes the PM. I do not know if he is directly culpable to the riots. However in his capacity as CM, if he could not stop the riots, the moral responsibility is his to resign. Even if that is to be overlooked, the inability to bring to book the people who perpetrated the riots is unforgivable. The Gujarat riots are a black mark in the secular history of my country and I am ashamed of it. I request my Muslim countrymen to be magnanimous and forgiving.
Finally, I refuse to trade my country liberty and equality for economic prosperity. Modi will never become the PM of my country.
India doesn't deserve Modi. thats all
I would still prefer Modi over Nitish simply because Gujarat is developing at a much faster rate. Nitish though going good work in Bihar, has a long way to go.
Jyoti: We divided this subcontinent on the basis of religion. While beating the drum of secularism, will you please enlighten us with your views on separate electoral rights for Muslims as demanded by ML at that time? Please also narrate the secularism of INC which allowed, for their own power, the division of subcontinent on the basis religion?
It is irony that baton charge on Dalits is ‘atrocity’ and same in India on Muslim minority is communal action whereas on all others and sundry it is maintaining ‘Law & Order’. When Modi (a Hindu) refuses to wear Muslim skull cap, people question his secularism? We had number Presidents practicing Islam. How many of them were asked to wear Bhagwa Vastra, Tilak and Choti to prove their secularism? To prove your brand of secularism please try this with Mr Hamid Ansari (VP), Salman Khurshid or Shekh Abdullah. You will get your answer.
The ‘Rajdharma’ is to maintain good public order. It is not to sacrifice self on alter of your brand of secularism? Remember, Muslims are no more a commodity in India to trade them during elections. Congress, Muslim League, RJD, LD, CPM have done it enough time. The public order in Gujarat since last ten years is a shining example to replicate in entire India. All other religious vote bank politics is communalism.
Much of age old politicians and surprisingly even the so-called liberal intellectuals have grown up seeing and using the language of the divide. This is a classic British gift where we describe the people in terms of Hindus- Muslims, Upper Caste - Lower Caste, Aryans-Dravidians, etc. It does not matter that most of modern historians have already rejected Aryan invasion and existence of races in the form of Aryans and Dravidians but we are so used to talking of these divides and we do not feel disturbed using these divides to understand the world. Some politicians like Modi have stated saying (whether they believe or not is unclear at present) that let us not look at people in terms of their so-called artificial groups and talk about all of them in an inclusive manner. Modi uses the word - 6 crore Gujaratis and their affiliations do not matter at all. For a modern government, any form of divide must only be used if such divide enables it to understand the population better and thereby govern in an effective manner. Poor and Rich is possibly the only divide that must matter but rest of the divides are nothing else but artificial human constructs. However, we are surrounded by the so-called educated writers who continue to view the world in terms of these binaries and express their views as such. I wish a day comes when much of this old legacy is discarded thoroughly and modern writers emerge who merely look at ideas of unification - even bringing Indians and Pakistanis together as well as with the rest of the world who are bound together by ideas of progress and happy life rather than the language of divide. Unfortunately, writers like these whose software is infected with virus will not understand the seriousness of the flaw in their minds and we will have to tolerate them for many more years - Phew!!!!!
Modi's success in transforming Gujarat into shining industrial state is a big achievement to pave the way to him for the office of PM.But if he does not improve from his image of anti Muslim and hard core religious leader, he faces bumpy road ahead.He needs to come clean on his past and ask for apology for his acts against Muslims of India.Communal harmony does not come with mere lip service or media marketing,it comes with positive intentions and clear actions.Modi needs change of Mind.If he improves his image as progressive and secular leader,his future seems pretty bright.As neighboring country,we Pakistanis also want a liberal,secular and pro_peace leader to come into power in India in next election,so that path to peace and harmony keep moving.
Dear Author,
I generally refrain from commenting but couldn't resist this time. First of all I am no Modi fan but you will agree that his presence changes things. Secondly there is much more credible proof of his good governance than his involvement in riots which unfortunately includes NGO's fabricating, tempering evidence and creating false testimony as it has been proved in the Supreme Court. I request you to have faith in judiciary and not demonize him until he is proven guilty. Thirdly Modi is no less secular than Rajiv Gandhi(1984) under whose direction worst riots in history took place in National Capital. Also unlike Modi who is being investigated for delay in delegation of his duty, Congress party has been accused of hunting down minority groups using official state records and addresses. Fourthly this carefully orchestrated image makeover that you refer to as some condescending gimmick is just politics so no surprises here, just like Rahul Gandhi sleeping in Dalit homes in UP villages. Fifthly you have missed the most important change that Modi's politics bring to India, a change from caste based and minority appeasement politics to development based politics. This is a great change and its timely and need of the hour. It kills me that people like you have chosen to totally neglect this aspect. Nitish also has good developmental record but Bihar has very low GDP compared to Gujarat and similar growth rate in both states means Modi has created tremendous output in real terms.
I request you to objectively think of Modi from this angle at least once.
Regards
A Regular Reader.