New Delhi:
Many may not recall December 20th, 2012 as an important day politically.
Election results were declared on that day, the BJP, which has been in power in Gujarat led by Narendra Modi, won 116 seats out of 182 and the Congress could win only 60.
That started off everything ....finally in a big way.
In the afternoon, Narendra Modi came out on the streets of Ahmedabad and made a speech in Hindi. "The state has voted for the future," Modi had said in his inimitable style.
The signal was slowly getting clear.
About 17 days back at the Manifesto release function, I asked the then
Gujarat Chief Minister, "Is this Gujarat assembly election the semi final?"
He had given an evasive reply. "Many other elections will have to be fought and won in 2013," he said cleverly.
His friend and the then 'eyes and ears in Delhi' Arun Jaitley was by his side.
By evening of Dec 20 jokes around on social media (2012 -- Facebook was still a decent place!).
"Narendra Modi is the real Walmart for BJP.... If he comes to Delhi all 'kirana' store-wallahs will be finished....... Many are thinking of opening a 'Namo Franchise'....". - Truly a sweet joke, but so telling.
Another remark went in certain websites - "The country’s best known headline hunter that he is, the controversial Gujarat chief minister has been able to live up to that reputation. The mandate 2012 makes it clear that Modi has stuck with the Development card; his Moditva brand. The other ‘reputation’ of his --- an anti-Muslim or so – is perhaps not altogether deserved".
'India Today' headline was more specific - "Delhi calling? Narendra Modi performs a hat-trick in Gujarat, looks set for the bigger role".
"Gujarat election result: Narendra Modi pulls off hat-trick, will it be Rahul vs him in 2014?", - said 'Times of India'.
The BJP was yet to finalise things. Some senior leaders were drawing plans, the likes of Arun Jaitley - of course - backed Narendra Modi. It was only at much later stage Late Manohar Parrikar (then Goa CM) initiated a move and later BJP chief Rajnath Singh went out to name Modi first as 'chairman of the election campaign committee' in June 2013 and then on Sept 13, 2013, he was named PM-candidate.
The JD(U) under an angry Nitish Kumar had already walked out of NDA.
In fact, the journey from being ‘Modi’ to the ‘Moditva phenomenon’ has been a tough fight; of a loner, and that of a man who vanquished adversaries at virtually every stage.
He turned disadvantage into advantage. Besides dealing with detractors in Congress who wanted to nail him in 2002 riots, Modi also overcame hurdles posed by party colleagues.
Dealing with all that requires more than assertiveness, and Modi has shown that single mindedness and the right synthesis of Hindutva inclined nationalism punctuated with development.
A leader India was waiting for. A leader – whom millions see as a ‘messiah’ – who can perhaps solve all their problems.
A leader who will give Hindus their lost prestige. A leader – who could not be wrong even for taking away their legitimate currency notes.
A leader who will anchor the toughest military challenge like surgical strike against Pakistan and also unleash the true economic potential of the world’s largest democracy.
Many unhesitatingly laud his image of a mystic Indian – a yogic in meditation, a worshiper taking dip in Ganga but yet someone who connects so well with millions via video conferences and Twitter.
ends
PM Modi speaks to Russian prez Putin on phone
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on telephone today with His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
In their conversation, the two leaders followed up on some of the issues discussed during the recent visit to India by H.E. President Putin. The exchange today helped firm up the future course of action on these issues, including opportunities for furthering defence cooperation, cooperation in supply of fertilizers, enhancement of India's engagement with the Russian Far East. The conversation also allowed an exchange of views on international issues.
The leaders agreed to remain in regular touch on all aspects covered under the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, and to continuously strive to further deepen bilateral cooperation as well as consultation and coordination in multilateral fora.
No comments:
Post a Comment