Narendra Modi’s third consecutive victory in Gujarat has once again triggered talk within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that he should now take a key role in national politics.
Though officially the party has not approved such a demand, there are indications that before the 2014 general elections, BJP will be forced to project Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate.
A section of BJP leaders claims that a majority in the Sangh Parivar, too, considers Modi as their leader, but fears of losing allies and compulsions against going back to its core Hindutva ideology are blocking the party from assigning a key role to Modi in national politics.
Though BJP leaders at the Centre said that all credit should go to Modi for the party’s performance in Gujarat, they shied away from the question of his becoming the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate in 2014.
Key campaigner in Gujarat and the Opposition leader in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, said the result was for this elections. “This may be an interesting topic from the media’s point of view, but we will take a decision at the appropriate time,” he told reporters here.
The Janata Dal (United), the second largest partner in the National Democratic Alliance, was also cautious in praising Modi.
Party MP in Rajya Sabha, Ali Anwar, said three terms in the Chief Minister’s chair will not make a person fit for the Prime Minister’s job.
“A leader must exhibit secular credentials in a secular country,” he said and added that JD(U) would take a decision on NDA’s Prime Ministerial candidate once the BJP discusses the names with them.
Cong wait & watch
There are two views in the Congress on the issue of Modi’s possible ascent to the national stage. The party believes that Modi’s claim to the top post will naturally disrupt NDA and “secular”- minded parties will walk out of it.
The Congress also thinks that there will be a consolidation of secular forces if BJP starts projecting Modi ahead of the 2014 elections.
The other view is that Modi’s ascent may unite the divided BJP and the Sangh Parivar who would try to consolidate the Hindutva base. “This may create problems for us in States like Uttar Pradesh,” a senior leader said.
Keywords: Narendra Modi, Gujarat assembly election, BJP, Congress,
Comments:
N. Modi is the hero of Gujarat but if he will leave Gujarat and take
BJP leadership in Delhi, he will be doomed in political game within a
year or two. Why? Because he has no experience of working with several
regional and tribal and racial parties on central level. (ii) He has
ruled Gujarat as an authoritarian leader with almost 2/3 majority and
even not allowing his own ministers to carry out their work. He has
not considered opposition party has any voice or initiated any
discussion with them for any matter. (iii) He has very short temper
and no tolerance, which will make him unacceptable in many quarters of
BJP (iv) He likes to have yes men around him and like bragging beyond
his reach (v) He has proved beyond doubts by his rule and conduct
during the riots and selection of all right wing Hindu candidates and
ministers for the last 11 years; depicted his image as the anti-Muslim
leader neglecting 10% major Muslim minority of India and making them
meaningless, which will make him almost impossible as a national
leader. (vi) He failed to reduce gap between the poor and rich in
Gujarat and favored large industrialist houses allotting hundreds of
acres farm and government land almost free. Really, Congress would
like him to be next PM and fail soon in his own game.
If BJP & NDA wants more than 300 seats in Central government, pariament , BJP must unite early on behind Mr. Modi as PM for 2014. Mr. Modi is not only strong, dynemic, chrasmatic leader with insight for good governace, buisness, and productivity, but also he is strong in national security, defence, agriculture, research and development. During Modi as PM , you can bet NO terrorism, Pakistan and China will behave as good neighbour, and US and rest of the world will respect India. Jai Hind!!!
Narendar Modi is one of the best leaders that i hv seen in my life . He
is very passionate about his work . He has done lot of things for the
developmet of gujarat . He has improved the infrastructure of Gujarat .
He also encouraged foreign investors to invest in gujarat . So , it
create lot of job opportunities in Gujarat . As compared to other state
employability ratio is very good. I think he will be ideal candidate for
PM post .
Please Email the Editor