Narendra Modi vs the Dynasty: Contrasting Ideas of India

Yogi_G · Post by **Yogi_G** » 06 May 2014 12:48

As Modi's vocal cords sound less shrill given all that they have been through in this campaign, has anyone else felt that his voice is beginning to sound more and more like Vajpayee ji?

johneeG · Post by **johneeG** » 06 May 2014 13:14

Due to weak/inefficient/corrupt sarkaar, courts have taken an increasingly pro-active role in many issues. It is a good thing. However, if there is a strong nationalistic clean sarkaar, then there may be a power tussle between legislature and judiciary. I think judiciary will go back to its natural role and leave the governance to legislature.

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 06 May 2014 13:18

Retweeted by B B SOMANI
MediaCrooks ‏@mediacrooks 2h

Dear @SagarikaGhose Modi is dealing only with best.. He has avoided the "Worst Journos">> http://www.mediacrooks.com/2014/02/indi ... 2h8byhY7fs … pic.twitter.com/ctja4FYODl

vinod · Post by **vinod** » 06 May 2014 13:22

sivab wrote:http://www.ndtv.com/article/opinion/nar ... topstories

Narendra Modi's Ebullient Speech in Amethi

Ashok Malik is a columnist and writer living in Delh

In the days leading up to Narendra Modi's evocative, ebullient speech in Amethi, the news media made much of how this was a departure from tradition and from an "unwritten rule" of not campaigning in constituencies of top leaders of rival parties. The sense that politicians had long adhered to a gentlemanly code of conduct was heart-warming. It left some people asking searching questions of why the old days had ended with the nasty election of 2014. While such sentiment was laudable, it needs to be pointed out it was based on humbug. (Highlights of Narendra Modi's speech at Amethi rally)

In truth, there is no such "unwritten rule" in Indian politics. Star campaigners, whether in state or national elections, are overworked and overburdened. They focus their energies on marginal seats - where a new social coalition, a change in local conditions and a big speech can convert defeat to victory. Constituencies where other parties are unbeatable - and most party leaders tend to contest from safe seats - are considered a waste of time. That is why, in 2004 or 2009, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani, stayed away from Amethi. It was seen as impossible battle for the BJP.

However, when a political party smells blood - even in a hitherto difficult seat against a strong leader - it does not hesitate to jump into the fray. As such the BJP put up Sushma Swaraj against Sonia Gandhi in Bellary in 1999 and the Congress has Amarinder Singh challenging Arun Jaitley in Amritsar in 2014. To rewind, it was the chance of picking up high-profile seats that had the Congress and Rajiv Gandhi carefully choosing candidates against HN Bahuguna in Allahabad, Vajpayee in Gwalior and Chandra Shekhar in Ballia in 1984 and eventually defeating them. Electoral politics is a serious game. Nobody expends resources to make a symbolic point.

This background is important while assessing Narendra Modi's decision to cancel a public meeting elsewhere and head to Amethi on the final day of canvassing for the eighth phase of polling. He sensed a certain discontent with Rahul Gandhi. His party promoted the idea that Amethi was vulnerable. A last-minute thrust, it was felt, was a gamble worth taking.

Delivering his speech, Modi chose his words and his target carefully. In other areas, he has tended to club his opponents together and presented a "Modi versus the Rest" scenario. In Amethi, if the BJP is to do well, it needs to tap into the Yadav and lower OBC votes vacated by the Samajwadi Party, which has not put up a candidate. Hence Modi emphasised his own OBC status, and spoke of the Congress' humiliation of its late president Sitaram Kesri, also an OBC. Wonder of wonders, he even had kind words to say about Mulayam Singh Yadav, words he is unlikely to repeat when he resumes campaigning for the remaining seats of eastern Uttar Pradesh. (Watch)

Nothing about Modi can ever be simple. Once in Amethi, he addressed both the crowd before him as well as a larger national audience. Having made an all-India event of what would in the normal course have been just another constituency meeting, he found himself with a captive television audience in the final hour of campaigning for 64 seats in seven seats. Twenty-five of these seats are in Seemandhra, where 175 assembly constituencies will also be voted for on May 7.

With an eye on the Seemandhra voter, Modi referred to Rajiv Gandhi's humiliation of then Andhra Pradesh chief minister T Anjaiah in the early 1980s, and Sonia Gandhi's snubbing of PV Narasimha Rao on his death in 2004. While these references were couched as examples of the Nehru-Gandhi family's arrogance and short fuse, they didn't really make sense in Amethi. In his trademark manner, Modi was speaking to several categories of listeners.

So what is the upshot of Modi's speech? Actually, there are three.

First, he has captured TRPs at an opportune time in the campaign, which is something he has made a habit of in this election.

Second, by taking the battle into the heart of Amethi, he has left Priyanka Vadra and Rahul Gandhi that much more nervous.

Third, he's got us guessing and betting on Amethi. Till the other day, almost nobody was doing that.
Ashok Malik explains Modi's strategy in Amethi. Very valid points.

I would add to that this forces a congress show of hand in Varanasi! Till now, they haven't been campaigning for the congress candidate. They don't want to split the "secular" vote and hope that Ak wins, even if it means congress loses. So, let us wait and see whether the Sonia family will campaign in Varanasi or they will chicken out and hope AK wins!

Arjun · Post by **Arjun** » 06 May 2014 13:26

I don't think a win in Amethi is very probable....the rally is most likely aimed at influencing the rest of the UP / Bihar seats that go to polls tomorrow and 12th.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 May 2014 13:40

AjitK · Post by **AjitK** » 06 May 2014 13:46

Arjun wrote:I don't think a win in Amethi is very probable....the rally is most likely aimed at influencing the rest of the UP / Bihar seats that go to polls tomorrow and 12th.

Shah and Modi are also thinking long-term. BJP got 6% of the votes in Amethi. It will cross 20-25%. Amit Shah has already said that BJP will contest every election from Panchayat, MCs, Assembly to win. In one of Shah's profiles, it was claimed that Shah broke the Congress' hold over rural Gujarat by inducting local leaders who were defeated in elections for the post of pradhan. BJP and RSS strengthened the organisation in Bihar. Shah and Modi will focus on UP, West Bengal and Orissa.

vinod · Post by **vinod** » 06 May 2014 13:49

Arjun wrote:I don't think a win in Amethi is very probable...

Its difficult to say that for sure. I'm sure BJP senses blood here and we probably are in for a big upset!

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 May 2014 13:49

true that. the marxist and congi lock on the village panchayat office employees has to be broken. these are influential way beyond their position because they maintain land records, administer govt schemes, collect taxes, ..they and the postman are the face of government people see everyday. they even function as drop boxes for people giving applications for higher level officials and ministers to look at.

johneeG · Post by **johneeG** » 06 May 2014 13:52

Arjun wrote:I don't think a win in Amethi is very probable....the rally is most likely aimed at influencing the rest of the UP / Bihar seats that go to polls tomorrow and 12th.

The fact that Amethi is up for grabs shows that Modi is heading for 272 on his own.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 May 2014 13:57

by tomorrow evening it will be more clear after pundits have weighed in.

only 64 seats will be left i think for may12.

if Namo's presidential campaign play succeeds, it will have changed our political history and style of campaigning. no longer will just the family name be enough....ppl will have to show results and charisma..which we know has been in steep decline in the family with each generation as wealth and power made them soft.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 May 2014 13:58

In Banaras people eating Modi roti

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 06 May 2014 14:01

Retweeted by Rama: Nov29,12240BCE
ANI ‏@ANI_news 9m

Rahul Gandhi: American President realizes your strength, he is afraid of the youth of UP

sum · Post by **sum** » 06 May 2014 14:07

^^ Did he mean afraid of youth of Azamgarh?

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 06 May 2014 14:14

Forget it, the fellow is as dumb as a brick, can't find his own arse in daylight. Probably hasn't taken his medication.

member_28468 · Post by **member_28468** » 06 May 2014 14:21

In amethi rally pepole broke the baricades and shook hands with namo.
His security is so stressed...

Manish_Sharma · Post by **Manish_Sharma** » 06 May 2014 14:30

Arjun wrote:I don't think a win in Amethi is very probable....the rally is most likely aimed at influencing the rest of the UP / Bihar seats that go to polls tomorrow and 12th.

Exactly, yesterday no channel had guts to ignore a single moment of this speech they had to show it uninterrupted. So NaMo took on not only dienasty past and present but also on media. Anyone who had access to tv, be it home or on street in panwala shop were watching it.

It was perfect; not only he squashed the dienasty, but also paid media and sent message across the board all the way over to AP. Doesn't matter whether raul wins.

In case jaitley manages to win in amritsar; then even if Smriti loses she can fight from Vadodara and win later.

What was priceless was when immediately after NaMo's speech media dutifully showed sonia attacking him in a rally in mujjafarpur Bihar.

NaMo had just finished painting her angry khundaki picture; of an angrez woman who took her wrath upon even the dead body of PVNR. An angry vengeful woman throwing out an old-dalit Sitaram Kesari. And BANG people were served sonia with her angry face with all the violent angry lines; reading agressive sentences against NaMo in tutti footi Hindi.

The whole of Bharatvarsh could make the connection immediately.

I suspect naughty NaMo knew she'll make hard comments against him in mujaffarpur hence he already stated in Amethi "If abusing me, calling me names releases your anger, then I'm glad to be of use. Modi is useful to everyone......"

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 06 May 2014 14:40

Sanku wrote:
James B wrote:Just came across this wikileaks cable on Modi. Venkiah Naidu talking to US Amb. about Modi in 2008
Thats clearly nonsense, we know that Venkaiah was a Low-purush Bhakt and a key member of D420 in 2008 which together were working with congress to destroy BJP and were holding down the cadres in chains and publishing stories about NaMo by meeting Sonia G over tea personally.

Such information can not be true.

Yes, Good Point!

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 06 May 2014 14:46

Dhananjay wrote:In case jaitley manages to win in amritsar; then even if Smriti loses she can fight from Vadodara and win later.

I was kind of thinking that Subramanian Swamy would stand from Vadodara! I am quite hopeful Smriti would win, IFF there is no rigging.

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 06 May 2014 14:50

They will throw everything at Irani , its shazada's pride at state

vinod · Post by **vinod** » 06 May 2014 15:12

krishnan wrote:They will throw everything at Irani , its shazada's pride at state

Its too late now! Other than EVM magic, nothing else can be done now!

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 May 2014 15:39

Dhananjay wrote:NaMo had just finished painting her angry khundaki picture; of an angrez woman who took her wrath upon even the dead body of PVNR. An angry vengeful woman throwing out an old-dalit Sitaram Kesari. And BANG people were served sonia with her angry face with all the violent angry lines; reading agressive sentences against NaMo in tutti footi Hindi.

The whole of Bharatvarsh could make the connection immediately.

I suspect naughty NaMo knew she'll make hard comments against him in mujaffarpur hence he already stated in Amethi "If abusing me, calling me names releases your anger, then I'm glad to be of use. Modi is useful to everyone......"

In political circle it is well known Sonia is suspicious and highly arrogant, Manishankar & many other veterans have been humiliated many times personally by her. NaMo played suspicion card onlee when he projected Ahmed mia as good friend and next day we saw PatelAhmed effusively dismissing Modi-maitri on all channels. Very smart mind games by Modi throughout and his Lt Amit Shah. Miles ahead of rest of BJP

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 May 2014 15:40

krishnan wrote:
Retweeted by Rama: Nov29,12240BCE
ANI ‏@ANI_news 9m

Rahul Gandhi: American President realizes your strength, he is afraid of the youth of UP

Rahuls shocker was why there are no mobiles in market w made in Mirzapur tag, even China was shaking

KViswas is doing some mid night nautakni on line of SBharti to get some media feed to no avail

sum · Post by **sum** » 06 May 2014 15:41

sum wrote:One can smell the sycophancy dripping in each word in this article:
The Intimate Daughter

Priyanka on the stump exudes the charisma of her grandmother. A portrait

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 May 2014 15:43

^^ it seems plan is now to project Priyanka 4 2019. AAktak, IBN is also chanting priyanka mantra.
I can assure she is even more dumb than Raowl and will be exposed to no end

sum · Post by **sum** » 06 May 2014 15:50

^^ Except a pink-panted real estate goon/farmer will be like a albatross around her neck ( unless the albatross suddenly disappears over these 5 years like the rest of his family)

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 06 May 2014 16:00

E possible que Donna Antonia Maino i su figlio van andare a bella Italia presto.

Sonia Gandhi could be returning to Italy after the elections, say May 14th, to stay with her family citing health and burnout reasons. Rahuliya Baba may follow her. I am not even sure she would be here to take the oath as an MP.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 06 May 2014 16:01

NDTV ‏@ndtv 18m

Snoopgate: Father of woman, who was allegedly spied upon in Narendra Modi's Gujarat, moves Supreme Court against probe

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 May 2014 16:02

If somehow dynasty family is demoralized and congressy convinced that royal family is no good then cong disintegration will follow wthin a year. remember 98-99?

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 May 2014 16:02

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 06 May 2014 16:03

it has to be permanent dis-integration

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 06 May 2014 16:04

IndraD wrote:

check the long wave of people still waiting to get in.

sum · Post by **sum** » 06 May 2014 16:07

Sheela Bhen still trying to find out why Modi should lose but isnt:
The rise of the Modi Class

'This election campaign in Gujarat, in spite of an expected impressive win for the BJP, will expose the party's emerging weaknesses in the state.'

'In urban areas, the BJP will do well, but in the Congress strongholds of tribal areas and the south and in some towns of middle Gujarat, there will be a couple of surprises.'

'If Modi was not the prime ministerial candidate, his party would have faced ignominious results in the Lok Sabha elections.'

Travelling across tribal Dahod to an about-to-be-born township near Ahmedabad, Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com examines how the 'Modi effect' will play out in the polls in his home state.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 May 2014 16:26

that photo looks authetic. chopper is visible which means Modi is in. And the crowd is not of lakhs. Look at amazing development congress style all around

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 06 May 2014 16:26

Mamta didi of west bangladesh is finally getting some serious competition onlee...

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 06 May 2014 16:29

Hari Seldonji,

I hear you are now living in Lytons club area?

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 06 May 2014 16:32

atleast priyanka is good at acting

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 06 May 2014 16:32

^^^Narayan rao garu,

you very well know where I live... we metup at the last BR meet last year onlee... should have one more soon, I say...

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 06 May 2014 16:42

krishnan wrote:atleast priyanka is good at acting

Krishnanji I am sorry to say you have not seen her true action. Have you not seen her saying:

MAI RAJIV GANDHI KI BETIHU JO DESH KE LIYE SHAHID HUYE HAI.

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 06 May 2014 16:44

i was talking about that dua pic, look at lahul and her