Call him “maut ka saudagar” (merchant of death) or “vote ka saudagar” (merchant of vote), he is back with a near two-third majority. Following are my reasons, why Narendra Modi clicked in the 2007 Gujarat elections.
1) The Modi magic: Nobody in Gujarat doubts that he is the tallest leader in the state at present. They have not seen their state producing such a strong leader in the last two decades. He is perceived as brash, authoritative, divisive and much more. But, above all he means business and has a no-nonsense attitude. Add to that, he is a leader with a mass appeal. The ordinary Gujaratis think that he has done a good job and the state has progressed in the last five years under his regime. They view him as someone who is aggressively promoting “Brand Gujarat” and wooing investors.
2) The BJP factor: National media thinks that it’s just because of Modi, BJP has won this election. That’s not true. Since the Ayodhya issue in the late nineties, the party has consistently won elections in the state. It has a very strong organization in the state. Even the RSS affiliates like VHP and Bajarang Dal wield enormous clout. There are at least 30-40 seats in Gujarat, where candidates don’t matter. Anybody on the BJP symbol can win elections in those seats.
3) Weak opposition: Unlike many other Indian states, there is not a single regional party in Gujarat. It’s a direct fight between BJP and Congress. The later ruled the state for many years before 1990. But, now it has lost the last five elections. It’s a party with weak organization and without any significant leader. Its secular credentials are extremely doubtful. Increasingly, it’s perceived as a B team of the BJP. Its populist agenda also puts off many young voters.
4) The electorate: The composition of Gujarat electorate favors BJP’s Hindutva ideology. The state has only around 10 percent of Muslims. The cast factor is not working as the BJP has managed to consolidate the Hindu votes. The party has even managed to make a dent in the tribal vote-bank, traditional Congress supporters.
1) The Modi magic: Nobody in Gujarat doubts that he is the tallest leader in the state at present. They have not seen their state producing such a strong leader in the last two decades. He is perceived as brash, authoritative, divisive and much more. But, above all he means business and has a no-nonsense attitude. Add to that, he is a leader with a mass appeal. The ordinary Gujaratis think that he has done a good job and the state has progressed in the last five years under his regime. They view him as someone who is aggressively promoting “Brand Gujarat” and wooing investors.
2) The BJP factor: National media thinks that it’s just because of Modi, BJP has won this election. That’s not true. Since the Ayodhya issue in the late nineties, the party has consistently won elections in the state. It has a very strong organization in the state. Even the RSS affiliates like VHP and Bajarang Dal wield enormous clout. There are at least 30-40 seats in Gujarat, where candidates don’t matter. Anybody on the BJP symbol can win elections in those seats.
3) Weak opposition: Unlike many other Indian states, there is not a single regional party in Gujarat. It’s a direct fight between BJP and Congress. The later ruled the state for many years before 1990. But, now it has lost the last five elections. It’s a party with weak organization and without any significant leader. Its secular credentials are extremely doubtful. Increasingly, it’s perceived as a B team of the BJP. Its populist agenda also puts off many young voters.
4) The electorate: The composition of Gujarat electorate favors BJP’s Hindutva ideology. The state has only around 10 percent of Muslims. The cast factor is not working as the BJP has managed to consolidate the Hindu votes. The party has even managed to make a dent in the tribal vote-bank, traditional Congress supporters.
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ReplyDeleteHey Anando,
ReplyDeleteWell done dear, you have poured well analyzed facts but don’t forget that Gujarati’s can only be persuaded with one thing i.e. "Dhandho" / "Rupiyo". End of the day it is all about P&L which rules the nerve of common Gujaratis rather than just Hindutva Model.
Keep it up buddy.
Jignesh Dhakkan
My Dear Anando,
ReplyDeleteI am sure u have never been in Gujarat , atleat in last 5 years and that is why u r giving credit to Hindutv Card.
Dear First, business community never vote on basis of DHARMA.
Second, This time it was positive voting in response of Last five year's developmental works.
U R NOT GOOD AT (POLITICAL)ANALYSIS , PLS SPEND UR TIME IN, AT UR >>>>
SANJAY PATEL
GUJARATI
Email : svpatel22@hotmail.com
There has been conspiracy to pull him down as a CM from inside and outside his party. He has been declared pariah for the media, not only that he has been from time to time slaughtered for his no fault. But this spunky man has dealt the situation with tons of courage and ultimately won the election...so at the end jo jeeta wohi sikandar...and he is ofcourse sikander of gujarat
ReplyDeleteShri Narendrabhai Modi is the best leader that Gujarat has produced in ages. I guess the sedatives injected by the useless Indian National Congress has worn off and now it is open to all. Most importantly, the BJP had lived upto its expectations and has done a great job in Gujarat in the last 5 years.
ReplyDeleteA small portion of Narendrabhai's speech was aired on one of the UAE's radio stations whilst he was commenting on that good for nothing terrorist, Sorabuddeen. A Bold statement saying "Should such elements be left to live or should they be killed in an encounter? Or should their encounters reqire SONIABEN'S permission..." came in as a shock to some sections of people here who do not like the idea of BJP coming into power anywhere.
At the time when the BJP was in power in the Centre, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first Indian Prime Minister, who, on his official to the Gulf boldly told the rulers of all the Gulf Countries "If you do not want our citizens, We'll take them back"! A very bold statement which left all Sheikhs open mouthed as all of the earlier PMs were doing nothing but begging for the security of Indians living there and moreover, Monetary aid from these countries were being asked at all given opportunities!!! The BJP had flatly refused any financial help from these countries when it was in power.
Sensitive districts like Bharuch have been under great control since the BJP came in. I am a native of the district and know very well how things were in the Congress times and how the BJP has given us a sense of security.
Notorious Ahmedabad and Vadodara are now cities which can set benchmarks in terms of peace, Credits again to the BJP and Narendrabhai.
Mind you, not all of the people in the MINORITY are bad, but sadly, the most of them are just fanatics and Gujarat could not afford a single term in the hands of those useless elements.
As an NRI living abroad, I am now assured that whenever I come down, Gujarat shall always be a safe haven. And most importantly, our investments.
Developments, progress and prosperity comes when there's stability and peace. None of which could be achieved in pre-BJP times.
Whether you term BJP as a Pro Hindu party or not, but it is sure - Gujarat and India will be in much safer hands. It is the call of the day, and I am sure, with Narendrabhai in his second term as CM of Gujarat, we Gujaratis will have lots more to celebrate with in the coming years.
BJP, Narendrabhai, AAYUSHYAMAAN BHAVA!, YASHASVEE BHAVA!
Regards,
A Proud Gujarati
Residing in the Gulf.
so anando, whom did you vote for this time?
ReplyDeletenobody
ReplyDelete