Posts Tagged ‘polarization’

Preventing Modi to become PM, opposing BJP and breaking NDA

April 9, 2014

Preventing Modi to become PM, opposing BJP and breaking NDA




The anti-Modi rhetoric of old partners of NDA: All most all non-BJP parties except the new allies have started their chorus of “Preventing Modi to become PM, opposing BJP and breaking NDA” one way or the other. The moment Narendra Modi was announced as the PM candidate for BJP, the first party to break from the NDA alliance was JD(S) with the rising rhetoric pitch of Nitish Kumar against Modi. Ironically, he was with the NDA for 17 years and appreciated Modi also. He was suggesting that he might accept L. K. Advani as the PM candidate but not Modi, as he would not be accepted by the secular partners. But, the BJP proceeded with the candidature of Modi, in spite of the fact that even Advani did not like it earlier, but had to accept.


Modi – polarizing or taking NDA to win: Then suggestions started circulating that Modi would dominate the scene till NDA gets majority and then Advani would be made PM so that NDA would get maximum majority. Such idea was nurtured in the TV debates usually carried on with the selected ideologues. Even Chandangupta was seen accepting such proportion in such forced debates. That is Modi would be exploited for attracting new voters, youth and polarize, thereby, some Muslim votes also, but if enough seats are won, then Advani would be declared as PM, so that through after poll alliance, more parties could be brought into NDA.


Mission 272+ and the reality: Some media carried on Narendra Modi’s ‘Mission 272+’ as follows[1]:


  1. As Modi is likely to focus on Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, which account for 210 Lok Sabha seats and if BJP could win more seats that what they had won a paltry 31 seats out of 210 in 2009, then, they ould in a better position. Thus, BJP has to perform hard and opinion polls predict that the BJP is likely to grab at least 100 seats from these areas.


  1. Of course, Modi could do well in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Karnataka, which account for 138 members to the Lok Sabha. Here, as BJP is directly pitted against the Congress in most of the seats it could have an edge over Congress.


  1. Modi has already joined the ranks of Jyoti Basu, Mohanlal Sukhadia, Sheila Dikshit and Naveen Patnaik in leading his party to victory in a state three times in a row.  In 2014, the combined force of AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik may influence Modi’s fortunes a lot. It is now for the smaller parties to decide which way to go, and to settle their priorities, local or national. Tamil Nadu, Odhisha, Punjab, Haryana, Assam and the North-East account for 118 LS seats. Modi already has a rapport with J Jayalalithaa and Purno Sangma, while a large section of BJD is also reportedly keen to join the NDA.


  1. Many opinion polls have already predicted a positive swing for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and the elevation of master strategist Amit Shah has become an icing on the cake. There is one school of thought that argues that the party is waiting for an opportune time to flag Modi’s caste antecedent but it is caught in its usual dilemma of whether a casteist projection would conflict with his popular image as a development and good governance votary.


  1. Modi cautioned that unless the BJP fine-tuned its booth management, it could end up with more misses than hits. The campaign panel chief wants that the Delhi brass step out of their confines, visit each state, sit with the leaders and office-bearers, hold detailed discussions and then come up with a state-specific draft. It is now-or-never scenario for the BJP.


The BJP political masters started their campaign with confidence, of course, with strategy. They moved their coins attracting partners step by step, as they knew very well about the counter-attack of their opponents. Particularly, the AAP posed a spoiler and evidently aiding and abetting the corrupt congress. Unlike other parties BJP has to fight the battle within and outside also due to changes envisaged. Thus, the regional mathematics was learned ahead before declaring anything openly. Through mediators, BJP approached small but strong regional players in mobilizing numbers[2].


BJP is gaining in south India again: Contrary to the political predictions and secular-communal debates etc., more regional parties have been attracted to either Modi or BJP. Definitely, in Tamilnadu it scored a victory by roping up alliance with DMDK, MDMK, PMK andIJK[3]. In AP, TDP and others are ready to join NDA and because of the Telengana tangle, they have been calculative about the seats and the sentiments of Telugu people. Even, in Kerala, it is reported that the percentage of BJP is increasing and in Trivandrum, it could create some wonders. Thus, suddenly media starts realizing that Modi is helping NDA to win alliance from south[4] to north! When Dravidian parties other than DMK and AIADMK are accepting Modi, why not others is the mute question.


The Comedy play of AAP: After the resignation of AAP on Feb.14, 2014, the political scenario was clear with the major parties facing battle straight. However, the regional parties posed threat both to UPA and NDA and now with the intrusion of AAP in the north. Though AAP posed as anti-corruption crusader, its short-lived 49 days rule exposed the AAP-Cong tactful alliance. AAP adopted hot and cool policy with Congress, but very aggressive towards BJP, thus, creating a picture that it is supporting Congress indirectly. After losing power, it starts attacking BJP more and almost forgetting the list of multi-crore scams. Aravind Kejariwal was just creating nuisance to BJP by going to Gujarat and contesting from Varanasi.


The media game-plan of Instigating Muslims against Muslims: The media experts went on approaching Muslim leaders of all parties getting their expressed opinion that they would accept Modi as the PM candidate, as he was responsible for the 2002 riots. This point is harped upon again and again by the TV-channel pundits to corner the BJP spokesman. It is even suggested that if Modi apologize for 2002 riots, Muslims might turn towards him. Rajnath was reportedly apologized for that and it was expected that Modi would follow the suit. But immediately, the Maualanas were interviewed and opinion was created that even if Mody apologize, they would not vote for Modi.


Inconsistency of the Muslim leaders towards Modi: Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind general secretary Maulana Mehmood Madani told, “In Gujarat, Jamiat workers on the ground have told me that in several Assembly segments, Muslims voted for Modi. There is a perceptible change of heart and circumstances are different now. I agree the times are changing. Muslims in Gujarat are economically better off than in several states which have so-called secular governments in power,” he told Rahul Kanwal in an exclusive interview on Seedhi Baat[5]. However, later clarified that he declined to either reject or endorse Modi’s possible candidature as Prime Minister[6]. In October 2012, as he called Modi a “tyrant”, the BJP tried to ban him to enter Gujarat[7].


Azam Khan type of Anti-Modism: On 28-01-2014, Azam Khan alarmed that there was a big conspiracy going on to divide Muslims … If Muslims were divided, Narendra Modi would form the next government (at the Centre) and therefore they have to remain united, he said while addressing a conference of madrassa managers and principals in Lucknow[8]. As usual he called Modi “murderer”. Many times, his angry was turned towards Amit Shah also. Harping upon the 2002 riots, it is claimed that Muslims would never forgive Modi and vote for him and therefore, BJP cannot get the votes of Muslims.


The tirade of Mayavati against Modi: On 21-02-2014, Mayawati told that they will put their “entire strength to prevent Narendra Modi from becoming the Prime Minister. It is in interest of the country to prevent the BJP from coming to power (in the next elections),” Ms. Mayawati told reporters outside Parliament[9]. She claimed that minority community members were apprehensive about  Modi. “If Modi wins, it will give a boost to the communal forces in the country,” the BSP supremo said, adding BJP is not trustworthy as “it says something and does something else”. But she was with BJP in forming government in UP twice.


AAP, SP and others turning against Modi: On 16-03-2014, BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP  from Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh) Anurag Thakur on Sunday criticized Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for leading an unruly party and helping Congress in its effort to stop Narendra Modi from becoming the Prime Minister[10]. On 31-03-2014, Modi himself accused that Congress was conspiring to prevent him from becoming PM[11]. On the same day, Mulayam asserted that “SP will not let BJP succeeded in Lok Sabha polls and make Narendra Modi the next PM. If they (BJP) get defeated in Uttar Pradesh, Modi will never become PM,” Asking Muslims to remain alert, he said BJP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had close relationship and Congress’ role was also suspicious as far as providing facilities to Muslim community was concerned[12].


Non-BJP parties dictating about the PM candidate: Ironically, the non-BJP parties were suggesting their choice of Prime Minister candidate, if they wanted to be with NDA. Shiv Sena was suggesting that Sushma Swaraj would be an ideal choice of PM. Then it was changed to suggest that Sushma Swaraj might be better choice, yet some suggested Arun Jaitely. But, on 22-03-2014 Prakash Sigh Badal unwittingly declared that Arun Jaitely would be the Deputy PM[13]. Recently also, one BJP minister of MP said that Sushma could be the next PM[14]. On 25-03-2014, Even Digvijay of Congress also suggested this[15], when they never declared who was their PM candidate. Of course, Mulayam Singh, Mamta Banerjee have been telling that they would not allow Modi to become PM.


Ex-MPs, MLAs of Congress and other parties joining BJP: In spite of the domination of Modi, definitely, some regional parties started aligning with BJP forming partners of NDA. Thus, the apprehension made earlier that except Akali Dal all others are going away from NDA proves wrong. Not only that, even former ministers, MPs, MLAs of other parties like Congress, JD (S) etc have started joining BJP. One way, it has become headache for BJP, as they were not only criticizing Modi with harsh language or hate-speech, some of them have been of tainted category. And the BJP has to pay heavy price, if they come to power.


BJP is different, Modi is different – new argument of the media: Then started the argument that BJP has become Modi-party, one-man party and no other has any say in BJP. This is the media-floated argument put forward now, but there are few takers. The politicians know very well who is controlling whom and how the parties, leaders of parties and others work and function at the time of winning and losing elections. But why the media play doublegame against BJP is not known. At one side, they project that BJP / NDA has been gaining vote %, Modi the favourite PM and so on , on the other side, they also accuse that BJP is sticking to the communal agenda, Amit Shah is doing that in UP and so on.


Modi could win and get votes from all: The conservative but posed as progressive media also slowly accepted the Modi-factor accepted that there would be a change in voting pattern with reversals also. Thus, “the Hindu” (March 21.2014) reported[16], “A large-scale attitudinal survey shows that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance has gained significantly across most parts of the country as well as among most social groups. The only exceptions are the Scheduled Tribes and Muslims.” Thus, finally, the media has to accept that Modi would be acceptable to all and people would vote for him.



© 06-04-2014

[1] http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/bjp-s-272-arithmetic-narendra-modi-s-top-5-key-strategies-113081900470_1.html

[2] http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/BJP-Does-the-Regional-Maths-Ahead-of-2014/2014/01/05/article1982945.ece

[3] http://www.livemint.com/Politics/pZtZnyzsDGC8rGoe3ZwjmM/BJP-clinches-sevenparty-alliance-in-Tamil-Nadu.html

[4] http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-prepares-to-bring-tdp-agp-into-nda/article1-1187474.aspx

[5] http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rahul-kanwal-jamiat-leader-maulana-madani-narendra-modi-seedhi-baat/1/250605.html

[6] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-neither-reject-nor-endorse-Narendra-Modi-Maulana-Mehmood-Madani/articleshow/18683456.cms

[7] http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bjp-wants-maulana-vastanvi-banned-from-gujarat-for-calling-narendra-modi-tyrant-283279

[8] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Azam-Khan-asks-Muslims-to-unite-to-prevent-Modi-from-becoming-PM/articleshow/29508494.cms

[9] http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mayawati-vows-to-prevent-modi-from-becoming-pm/article5713423.ece

[10] https://in.news.yahoo.com/kejriwal-aiding-congress-prevent-modi-becoming-pm-anurag-132313795.html

[11] http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/congress-conspiring-to-prevent-me-from-becoming-pm-modi/article5852006.ece

[12] http://www.livemint.com/Politics/PQhqxtAbYJvJVWLktaZLmJ/Will-not-let-BJP-succeed-in-making-Narendra-Modi-PM-Mulayam.html

[13] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Punjab-CM-pitches-for-Jaitley-as-deputy-PM-could-ruffle-feathers-in-BJP/articleshow/32440602.cms

[14] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/sushma-swaraj-would-be-a-better-pm-than-modi-digvijay-singh/

[15] http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Sushma-Swaraj-Would-be-a-Better-PM-than-Modi-Digvijay/2014/03/25/article2129898.ece

[16] http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/2009-vote-share-may-be-reversed-in-2014/article5774599.ece