There’s something about Mary — remember that delightful movie? Well, there’s something about Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, too. What that something actually is, nobody knows for sure. In Mary’s case, it was obvious. Mary (played by the delicious…) is seriously cute. Even Mr Modi’s most ardent admirers won’t

describe the man as “cute”. No Sir, Mr Modi is a different kettle of machchi. Now that he has fasted for “us” and more or less declared his intentions to go for the top job in 2014, perhaps it is time to take another look at the “new”, “improved” Modi (like those detergent tablets in the ’80s that always promised a whiter wash for dirty linen), and ask ourselves: Is the person we want as our country’s next Prime Minister? Really? Narendra Modi?
Okay, okay. Let’s give the guy a fair chance to explain himself… absolve himself (if that’s possible). After all, allowing him to do that will also revalidate our claim to being a working democracy. There are enough open-minded citizens willing to hear him out… provided what he’s saying is truthful, acceptable, incontrovertible. So far, we have seen “Modi the Bragger” at his swaggering best. Nobody can deny he is a charismatic orator, who wears many hats (but no skull caps, thank you). Mr Modi talks big. Mr Modi acts big. But, guess what? With all our prejudices and pitfalls as a people, we still possess a great deal of common sense. It is difficult to fool the Indian electorate, as poll results have shown in the past.
Of course, the process is faulty as hell, and our elections are chaotic, even murderous. Of course, there is poll violence and what is quaintly described as “booth capturing”. Of course, we see criminals as candidates. Our Parliament is filled with highly suspect, exceedingly dodgy individuals. So what? They have been voted into power. And that’s where it ends.
Mr Modi’s story is different. His baggage is unique. Not a single other politician in independent India has faced such serious accusations, involving the death of over 2,000 people. That’s a lot of blood to deal with for one individual. No matter how hard he tries to distance himself from Godhra, it’s going to be one hell of a challenge. Nobody is ready to forgive and forget one of the greatest tragedies in modern
India.
What the Modi campwallas are attempting to do is different and possibly, dangerous. The re-casting of Mr Modi as a national icon is based on just one aspect of his governance — economic prosperity in Gujarat. Moral issues obviously do not rate, nor do they come into the picture. The argument being, if Mr Modi has delivered on the economic front and his state has beaten various financial records, we must overlook everything else. Including Godhra. People point out that it is the same Modi who has brought communal stability to Gujarat and successfully brokered peace between the Muslims and Hindus in the aftermath of the bloodbath in 2002. Is that the factual picture? Or is the truth much, much more complex? Has Mr Modi generated genuine goodwill, post-Godhra, or has he merely sent out an unambiguous message to the minority community that reads: behave… or else. Worst of all, has Mr Modi even once expressed remorse and assumed responsibility for the bloodiest riots post-Independence India has witnessed?
Even at this crucial juncture in his political trajectory, when he is constantly harping on the six crore people of his state who he is concerned about, irrespective of religious affiliations, it’s hard to take him at his word. Unfortunately for Mr Modi, he is dealing with a gigantic credibility gap, which remains unbridged. Manipulating and altering public opinion is a monumental task. Mr Modi will have to work much harder for his “brothers and sisters”. A three-day upvas, and all that sadhbhavana mumbo jumbo, is simply not enough.
Despite these reservations, Mr Modi’s well-orchestrated debut as a “national” leader has sent a few shivers down the spines of his rivals and adversaries. There are far too many potential Prime Ministers in the BJP at this point. Their attempts to project a united front look and sound hollow. Unfortunately, this is leading to a total jhamela. Whether L.K. Advani’s proposed rath yatra gets stalled, or Nitin Gadkari’s new silhouette wins more supporters, voters are sitting on the fence and remain sceptical, even unimpressed. It would make things so much easier if our netas stopped playing coy. Why behave like virginal brides afraid of being deflowered, when they are in fact seas-
oned professionals… veterans of political “suhaag raats”?
Before we know it, 2014 will be upon us. Right now, all we have are assumptions. Is Rahul Baba going to be the official nominee of the Congress Party? Will the BJP surprise us all with an alternative candidate and dump Mr Modi? Is Sushma Swaraj the chosen one, after all? And does that mean Arun Jaitley will retire hurt and sulk in a corner? Aur phir, Nitish Kumar ka kya hoga?
In all these speculations, we are overlooking the one person who will eventually call the shots — the Indian voter. Going by history, this person is rarely swayed by theatrics. This person is looking for what any sensible person desires in life — security — roti, kapda aur makaan. Preferably, at a price that is realistic and affordable. This person instinctively knows such a wish list requires an environment that’s politically, militarily, financially stable. Religion simply does not come into the picture. A party that steers clear of religious divisiveness and focuses on providing basics will be the party that walks away with the votes.
And puh-leeeze, can we forget fasts, rath yatras and other stunts for now?

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