Before I start writing on this ticklish issue, I think it proper to just refer the PREAMBLE OF THE CONSTITUTION, which says, " We , The People of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a "Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens: Justice.........................
Is the emergence of the Hindu Right Leader and the Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Damodar Das Bhai as prime ministerial candidate of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), a threat to the secular fabric of India? Much debate and discussions are taking place nationally and internationally over the issue. I am just putting the facts straight about the way, Narendra Modi is being projected as prime ministerial candidate of India, just seven months away of the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 by the depleted National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by BJP as well as Modi's aggressive and militant postures in his speeches and interviews on the eve of elections. Narendra Modi, a controversial figure, represents an uncompromising stand of the BJP's Hindu Nationalist ideology.
To begin with only because of such militant approach of Modi, various coalition partners, particularly JD(U)), led by Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has withdrawn as coalition partners of the NDA. Secondly, Modi, who is described as "HINDU HRIDYA SMARAT",, is said to be one of the most divisive politician in India's history. He is an unapologetic Hindu chauvinist, who has been accused of mass murder of Muslims in 2002 communal riot in Gujarat during his chief minister ship of the state. Modi is known for dividing the society on communal and religious lines. Thirdly , with his projection as prime ministerial nominee by the BJP and its father organisation-Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS), the entire country has been surcharged with communal tension. Recent Hindu-Muslim riots, killing over 48 persons and injuring score of persons as well as 42,000 people were displaced as their villages were raided by rioters is biggest examples of communal divide with the arrival of Amit Sah in Uttar Pradesh as BJP general Secretary In charge of UP , the close protege of Modi and accused in several criminal cases, registered by the CBI against him In Gujarat . And also Babri Masjid demolition like misdeeds, committed by the BJP supporters led by senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani in 1980, the Hindu Right Organisations including Vishwa Hindu Parishad , trying to make "chaurasi Kosi parikarma" in and around Ayodhaya to press for construction of "Ram Temple" on the disputed sites of masjid. Such move definitely created surcharged atmosphere in the entire Uttar Pradesh. Not only that, over a dozen states of central and western India have come under the grip of communal tension. And the union home minister has issued alert to all states of the Indian union about the possibility of communal clashes in their respective zones,
There are many more factors about Modi's decisive politics Although Modi, who initiated anti-Muslim tirade in Gujarat initially, has tried to replace them with message of development based on a record in Gujarat that even worse critics acknowledge is impressive ! But critics do not lag behind that Modi and his party have been benefited from past violence between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat. It must be mentioned here that India is vast and populous country in the globe and during election campaign in different parts of the country, the campaigns result into violent because of hate speeches by certain fundamentalist leaders. Under the circumstances, the projection of Narendra Modi, who is considered fiery Hiundutava orator mix with anti-Muslim slurs, the forthcoming Lok Sabha election may be one of the deadliest election in the decades!
According to the report; Hindus have 83 percent voters while Muslims have 13 percent and remaining four percents are other minority communities.Home ministry report has said that there had been already 451 cases of sectarian violence this year, surpassing last year's total of 410. The union home ministry has warned that violence was likely to intensify as election approaches. During his speeches in the meetings in different parts of the country, Modi appears to be darling of youths, making the situation more hot up and surcharged .Modi never apologised for the 2002 riots, killing over two thousands Muslims in Gujarat, now he has shifted his focus recently to development and in the process, Modi ha become chums of business classes including corporates and multi-nationals. A recent report in the New York Times has quoted Talveen Singh, an author and commentator, in which she has made futile attempt to compare Modi with the first Prime minister of India Pundit Jawahar Lal Nehru and has said, " The reason why Modi needs a chance to lead is that he is the first politician since Nehru, who had articulated a clear economic vision"
. Selecting of Narendra Modi as prime ministerial nominee, the BJP has also thought to implement its old Hindutva agenda vigorously as Modi represents uncompromising Hindu nationalist. But there are factors, which are troubling the BJP also like deepening of sectarian divisions. India is a home of world's second largest Muslim population Modi , who has questionable character during 2002 Gujarat riots,, is accused of doing nothing while Gujarat burned and at worst of having helped to orchestrate the violence. Modi is also known for his arrogance, authoritarian and dictatorial style. In a recent interview to Reuter, Modi did say "I am Hindu nationalist" not not Indian nationalist. Such version clearly reflects that Modi has more love for Hindu India than as a nationalist of secular India , as enunciated .Can it be not be described a slur on the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by Modi ? Not only that when asked about the riots in Gujarat resulting into killings of hundreds of Muslims, Modi replied in strange connotation, apparently showing his deep-rooted aversion with Muslims. Modi told the interviewer of Reuter that his feelings of pain for the tragedy were similar to how he would feel if a puppy had been run over by a car in which he was merely a passenger. Shockingly in another interview to the Wall Street Journal last year Modi had strange justification over prevalent malnutrition in Gujarat. Modi appeared out of his depth when he diagnosed his state's high malnutrition rates as being a result of the vegetarian diet and the state middle class being" beauty conscious than health conscious".
Narendra Modi cannot be Atal Behari Vajpayee, whose years as prime minister from 1998 to 2004 were largely characterised by a consensual approach to governing. An opinion piece in the New York Times, written by Krishan Pratap Singh has written, " Vajpayee was like Ronald Regan: a true believer in the conservative cause, who packaged his ideological stridency into a narrative that depicted the BJP as a responsible party of governance, palatable to its core voters while allaying the fears of disparate coalition allies. But once Vajpayee left the scene, The BJP steadily drifted toward the far right.The promise of a Modi victory could prove to be mirage. Elections are still decided in rural India, where he is yet to give fully tested. Only L K Advani, the octogenarian -founder of the BJP and the Modi's mentor-turned rival, stands in his path ti leading the party. But Advani's failure as prime minister candidate in the 2009 elections, and the groundswells of rank-and-file support for Modi, may undermine his quest. YEt even if Modi is victorious, he would most likely lead an unwieldy coalition government involving decision making by consultation and consensus, a balancing act that is not his strong suit. With Indians begging for good governance, the BJP must decided whether to choose Modi's ideological path or to recalibrate to Vajpayee-like inclusiveness. On that question hinges the outcome of elections-and the future of India But Modi's message may well prove difficult to resist: From snake charmers, we are now a nation of mouse charmers. Our youngsters are shaping the world with the click of a mouse."
The son of a tea stall owner, Narendra Modi, 62, has spent most of his life in politics, joining the right-wing Hindu-nationalist Sangh Parivar organisation early on rising through its ranks by displaying impressive organising ablities. He moved to BJP in 1987 and was appointed chief minister of Gujsrat as a midterm replcement in 2001 without ever having fought an election. Like Gandhi-Nehru Gandhi family , Narendra Modi has no such tags. Apart from that , Modi had never been found in the company of his family members including his mother and deserted wife and brothers like Nehru-Gandhi family members , who are seen hobnobbing with each other in politics and other affairs in life. Modi is different metal and is self-made successful politician so far.Of course he brought drastic change in the development pattern in Gujarat. His focus on pro-investment policies, cutting red tape, extensive infrastructure development, while using his personal charm to woo foreign and domestic investments, has been marked contrast to most other state governments.
Today Narendra Modi has connected himself with the people of India, particularly youths and middle classes especially in towns and cities. Where ever one goes, he finds one name on every body's lip that is Narendra Modi !Huge crowds turn up to listen his speeches. Modi has succeeded in capturing cyber spaces and social media networks are full with Modi's supporters. Like V P Singh, who was once described "Raja nahi fakir hai; desh kaa taqdir d hai." while dethroning the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi from power, Modi is also gravitating during election like him (V P Singh). But V P Singh, being a Jan Morcha chief that time, had stamina to unite all opposition to support the then Janata party , keeping their distinct identity. But following the path of V P Singh is different. VP had fought election on corruption plank that time. But Modi, although identifying with VP in removing the present UPA government on corruption plank like him (V P Singh), but Modi lacks acumen in uniting anti-congress parties on one front. Modi had of his own started claiming that BJP will win 272 plus seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Modi must take one thing in his mind that without identifying anti-congress parties, will not be possible to garner such huge seats. Different pats of India have different characteristics. Southern and Eastern parts of the country invariably are not very enthusiastic with Modi or with BJP like earlier Lok Sabha poll . Narendra Modi's magic may move in central, northers and western India. The central and northern India, known as "cow belt" may have ground swelling support for Modi and BJP but there are many road blocks in these areas also like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh where regional straps like Nitish Kumar, Laloo Prasad Yadav, Ram Bilas Paswan (Bihar) and Mulayam Singh of Uttar Pradesh have tremendous support bases.
Apart from that Muslims, who are fearful of Narendra Modi and BJP, are likely to vote in the next election in tactical manner throughout the country. Muslims are expected to vote throughout the country this time on the perception that parties' candidates, most suitable to defeat Narendra Modiu's candidates will get entire support of Muslims in the next elections as situation prevails today ! When one compares victory of NDA led by BJP in previous elections on the basis of strong alliance partners, the victory in the forthcoming election of Lok Sabha by Modi all alone will be a difficult task. Being desperate over such ticklish issues, Taking into account such political scenario , the desperate Narendra Modi , who was initially wanted to contest elections of all alone, and his BJP have started approaching Chandra Babu's TDP as well as Babulal Marandi's Jharkhand Vikas Party in Jharkhand and expelled BJP leader Yedurappa in Karnataka to bring them in NDA alliance -fold. The BJP leadership has also recently appealed to former leaders of the party, who have resigned or expelled to rejoin the BJP.l Making the situation clear the gradual growing of the BJP in election and forming union governments under the leadership of Vajpayee ,Veteran journalist Vidya Subrahmaniam, in her opinion piece in the Hindu,under headline "The BJP's ak;la chalo challenge" has written, " In 2013, the RSS is not just back, it has decreed and ensured that Modi's elevation takes place. This, itself is hard to reconcile with the image that is being crafted for Modi. His national projection is of modern and aspirational leader but he seems ti exist at the pleasure of a mentor seen as a polar opposite to these ideas. .....the man, who changed the things around for the BJP was none other than L K advani through his Ayodhya's yatra and demolition of Babri Masjid till 1996 and subsequent Lok Sabha elections......and had taken back seat to keep alliance partners intact and paved way for middle-roader Vajpayee.........." and BJP succeeded in keeping NDA intact. Today NDA led by BJP is torn, having only two allies-the Shiv Sena and Akali Dal, both in ideological sync with the party..........the calculation obviously is that Modi's early projection will trigger an infectious voting frenzy, enabling him to single-handedly pull off a BJP victory. If this happens Narendra Miodi will be the first since V P singh to set off a personality-induced wave. But for all the adulation he commanded, Singh was nothing without the political support he got------his own Janata Dal was formed by merging the Jan Morcha with the Janata party and two factions of the Lok Dal------formed National Front........even supported by the BJP and left parties. So Singh's illusory single handed victory was a product in fact of support at every stage from a conglomerate of non-Congress parties ...The truth is that there is no unified national vote today and for all the blusters of the RSS, the BJP will need allies and will seek allies.....seven months before the big fight, and notwithstanding the UPA's down-in-the-pit status, the political congregation is around the Congress alliance rather than the BJP alliance. If Modi's manages to win the election by himself or even by winning over new allies, he will have beaten the odds and rewritten India';s political history."
What ever the outcome of the next Lok Sabha elections, the scenario in the country is presently vitiated by communal frenzies being encouraged by the Hindu Right organisations , led by Narendra Damodar Das Bhai to become prime minister of India by any means?
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