Narendra Modi has created a political uproar by announcing that he would undertake three day’s fast commencing on 17th September for peace, harmony and unity in Gujarat. Also, he announced that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he would start a movement called 'Sadbhavana Mission'.Incidentally,his announcements have coincided with Supreme Court’s verdict on Zakia Zafri’s complaint.The verdict is being interpreted as a big relief for Modi, who have been under attack by so called secular parties,intellectuals, human right activists,media etc.for his alleged role in 2002 Gujarat riots.
As expected, his announcements have created huge political uproar. Leader of opposition in Gujarat has dismissed his proposed fast as “political gimmick” and “political stunt”. He also alleged that Modi's Sadbhavna Mission and new found secularism smacked of hypocrisy, deceit, narcissism and lies. Even other so called secular human right activists,intellectuals,media are also not far behind to criticize Modi’s three day’s fast.Infact,some of them are attributing motive behind this whole exercise.They feel that the whole exercise is intended towards his image make-over aimed at a national role in 2014 elections for him.
While, such kind of response by his adversaries are hardly surprising; however even his supporters may have also reason to worry about the whole exercise. Is Modi really making a conscious effort towards a national role for him in 2014 elections? Not that they wouldn’t like a national role for him.Infact, these people would like Modi to play an active role in 2014 elections.They feel that Modi has impressed one and all cutting across party lines,general masses,business community etc. with his efficient administration,good governance and dynamic leadership and for this reason they would like Modi to take up the top role in the Govt at centre.While, his supporters wish Modi for the top role in the govt. at centre,however they are also realistic of the fact that ghost of Gujarat riots and his alleged role in the same would continue to haunt him politically and spoil his prime-ministerial prospects.Until, the time, he is condoned for his alleged role in 2002 Gujarat riots,and he is accepted as “secular” by so called secular political class,intellectuals,human right activists and minorities, it would be impossible for him to get the top role in the govt at centre, which he rightfully deserves.
Considering the above handicap of Modi, is he really making a conscious effort to project himself as “Secular”?In case, he is making any such effort, it would be really a backward step for him.He should know that People like him not because of his alleged "hardline hindutva" but because of his clean image,good governance,strict administration,dynamic leadership etc. They also feel that whatever people may allege, state has been communal violence free and all sections of society including minorities are reaping the benefits of huge development in Gujarat under his leadership.And for this reason only, he deserves the top role in the Govt at centre after 2014 Elections.
If people have liked him for what he is, why he should now behave differently to appease the minorities and so called secular parties, intellectuals,human right activists,media etc. Also, he should not be perceived to be making a conscious effort for the top job.He should not make the claim himself rather let people come and pressurize him to take up the top role in govt at the centre.He should learn from the mistakes of the senior leader from his party. Once upon a time,his senior leader was also cast in the “hardcore hindutva” image by so called secular intellectuals; however to break himself free from this image, he made the cardinal sin of trying to project himself as “secular”.He got so much obsessed with his new found love for “secularism” that he even went to the extent of calling Jinna as secular.The slide of his poitical fortunes, which started since calling “Jinna as secular” is yet to be arrested.His newfound love for secularism,couldn’t create new friends for him; however, he lost many of his old friends including the strong support from the parent organization of his party, which, he had commanded for very very long time. At the end, he neither got “Ram” nor “Rahim” and assuming the role of becoming PM, still remains a distant dream for him.
In a nutshell, Modi should learn from the mistakes of his senior leader and continue to conduct, the way, he has done so far. Every Political leader has the ambition of becoming PM of the country and if he also nourishes similar aspirations, there is nothing wrong about it; however he need not behave differently to fulfill this ambition.
