NARENDRA MODY'S VICTORY

The resounding victory of Narendra Damodar Das Mody, Chief Minister of Gujarat was not unexpected by all people including the opposition Congress Party. The Congress Party finds consolation in saying that the State is highly polarized and voting pattern is hard to change in the State in the foreseeable future. The fact is that there is nothing much to polarize.  The Muslims comprise below 10% of the population only and a large chunk of them also voted for Narendra Mody, if reports from there can be believed.

The attack on Sabarmati Express on  February 27, 2002 changed both Mody and Gujarat. The resultant riots were actually a knee-jerk reaction on the death of ‘Karsevaks’ travelling in the train.  The riots were not a  premeditated one and when it crossed a line of restraint it became uncontrollable like all riots. The same thing happened in New Delhi after the death of Indira Gandhi against the Sikh Community.  The charge against Narendra Mody is that he did not try douse the riot immediately. Any way there are no clinching evidence either ways and all finer details remain drowned in the sound and fury of riot.

However, Narendra Mody ignored questions and accusations thrown at him and he concentrated on governance. By nature Mody is an introvert and as such it was not difficult for him to give all his time and energy to the progress of the State unmindful of everything else including petty politics.

 Narendra Mody was born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, on  September 17 th 1950 as middle sibling of nine in a Grocers’ family. He is a victim of child marriage and as he grew up he concentrated on other interests and did not pursue the relationship and remains single. Early in his life he longed  a Sanyasin’s life and wandered about in various places including Himalayas with Yogis there. The Karma, however, called him back and then we see him as a tea vendor in the Transport Stand of Ahemedabad city.  He continued his studies, simultaneously working for R S S. He has a master’s degree in Political science. The joining of R S S brought him in to politics and after the Gujarat Earth quake in to Gujarat politics. Now he is the Chief Minister for the 3^rd time, all with resounding majority.

Narendra Mody could usher progress and prosperity to the State and made Gujarat as the most advanced State in India. More than that he could make the people aware of the importance of development and now everyone from the Chief Minister downwards are more concerned of the developmental aspects of the State than the day-to-day politics. Mody could change the game and the mindset. No riots have taken place since 2002. The communities live in peace.

There is talk of choosing Mody as the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the next election. But in the era of coalition politics nothing is certain including his success in such a top post.

There is some truth in what Markandy Katju, eminemt Judge and Chairman of the Press council of India, said. He said that before independence the British Government and post independence the politicians in India took care to divide the Hindu and Muslim communities in order to rule the country with vote banks. Though Justice Katju did not blame media, the Newspapers are also in the game. It is hard to hear a speech by a politician or read an article in Newspapers espousing the virtues of Hindu-Muslim amity.

Since the strengthening of regional parties in India coalition management and vote bank preservation has become the order of the day and no freedom from it is visible.