Mario:I was the only one in this forum who opposed the call in another post for Narendra Modi to assume national leadership in India based on his new perception as an administrative genius.
Response: Since you have made a point that only you responded to the article on Narendra Modi, here is my take on it. 1.Narendra Modi from all accounts is not personally corrupt. He has a relatively clean image.He is also charismatic. 2.He is in total command of the party in Gujarat as well as the state administration. Hence, no dissent is tolerated. At the moment this works to his advantage. But he definitely lacks democratic qualities that Nehru had even though he stood tall. Because of his dictatorial style, he is able to take quick decisions. That is why he has become a darling of the industrialists and businessmen.Remember, all over the world, capitalists love to do business with dictators. 3. Modi is a bachelor and thus is free from the nuisance of relatives. 4. Modi despite winning Gujarat for the BJP has tarnished his image in the country and internationally.Soon after the Gujarat genocide, in order to salvage his image, he appointed a PR firm to give his image a boost. The PR firm has done a relatively good job. They first tried to typecast him as a person interested in developmental. Hence immediately after the Gujarat carnage, "Vibrant Gujarat" conventions were held. Though they were given wide publicity, the actual investment that flowed in was inconsequential. The "Dandiya Raas" which is close to every gujarati's heart was also organised and touted as a major tourist event. It is my view that this won him many friends overseas and a loyal following. 5. There is a saying that sometimes even good flows out of evil deeds. After the 2002 carnage, Modi cannot afford to have a repeat of that again. For one, there is no friendly government at the centre. Secondly, he has become something of a pariah in the USA and UK where majority of the gujaratis live. His US visa was turned down. And he can visit the UK only in his personal capacity, not as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Hence, he has ensured that there are no more full scale riots in Gujarat despite Akshardham, Ahmedabad blasts etc.He has been forced to keep hotheads from the sangh parivar like Dr Praveen Togadia under strict control. Hence, ironically, Modi is facing maximum opposition from within the sangh parivar and BJP. In fact, he is extremely unpopular within the sangh parivar, although they have to tolerate him as they need him for his strongman image and vote gathering ability.Today Modi is bigger than the party. Even Advani is dependent on Modi for getting elected from Gandhinagar. Hence even Advani cannot afford to antagonise Modi. 6.Gujarat and Maharashtra have always been frontline states so far as investments and industrialisation is concerned and have always competed for the best investment destinations. This continues to this day, although other states like Karnataka (pre Deve Gowda), AP and Tamil Nadu have caught up immensely. Gujaratis are natural entrepreneurs. They have always been in business, much prior to even the birth of Modi.They were among the first Indians to venture overseas to countries like UK, USA, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa where they mostly set up businesses. Therefore to give credit to Modi is being facile. Gujaratis will continue doing well in business even after Modi. 7. It is extremely doubtful whether Modi will command the same following outside Gujarat and whether he will be able to replicate Gujarat elsewhere. India has too many divisions like caste, creed, language, etc. Each group has made itself strong in its pockets of influence. Hence today, it is impossible for any party which is not inclusivist or represents the interests of the various segments to come to power on its own. 8.Despite industrialists and PR firms falling head over heels over Modi and comparing him to God, there are significant sections of society who do not accept what he has done. He has lost many elections when things were normal, but could win landslides on emotional issues. 9. Finally, Modi is still not out of the woods. Though justice takes a long time, like truth, it ultimately prevails. There are numerous cases going on besides a commission of enquiry.So far no person who has been indicted has been able to hold the nations highest offices. Regards, Marshall