Narendra Modi vs the Dynasty: Contrasting Ideas of India

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 06 Feb 2013 17:39

@minhazmerchant
Modi's P2G2=pro-people, good governance. Cong's P2G2=poor people, give goodies

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 06 Feb 2013 17:52

krishnan wrote:
17:07 'We don't have snake charmers, we have mouse charmers': "In Taiwan, a person asked me if we still have snake charmers and superstition. I said no, we are mouse charmers. You see, the youth of this nation has its finger on the mouse of computers and it is them and not politicians who are changing the world," says Modi to loud applause.

Well many use trackpads now!

rajkumar · Post by **rajkumar** » 06 Feb 2013 18:33

Sushupti wrote:Shri Narendra Modi addressing students at SRCC Business Conclave, Delhi

AWESOME

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Feb 2013 18:36

it has certainly put some khujli in the MSM...NDTV has rounded up all sikular and leftist activists from their evening tea and samosa sessions and lined them to denounce Guj development as a fraud, non-inclusive and anti-OBC/Dalit

Arjun · Post by **Arjun** » 06 Feb 2013 18:55

Awesome speech !!

First reaction from Firstpost:

This was encapsulated in his core message of hope and youth achievement: “Hum kisise se kam nahin hain.”

Modi also enunciated his vision for government. “Government”, he said, “had no business to be in business.” This contrasts sharply with the Congress-fed belief in a mai-baap Sarkar.

So what is the business of government? Modi’s answer: “Minimum government, maximum governance.”

As an example, he offered the case of how he built India’s largest convention centre in Gandhinagar, the state capital in 152 days. He also reminded Delhi-ites that the coaches of the Delhi Metro were built in Gujarat, by an entrepreneur he did not particularly vibe well with, and whose factory he was happy to inaugurate nevertheless. His underlying suggestion to his audience was: the state works, irrespective of my likes and dislikes.

His speech, which was peppered with anecdotes and examples of what he has achieved in Gujarat, might have seemed like repeated pats on his own back, but he packaged it differently: what Gujarat could achieve by itself, if translated to the national level by an able leader, would help India take its appointed place in the global league.

He managed to make talk about Gujarat’s farmers, his achievements in animal husbandry and milk production interesting and relevant to a student audience in Delhi that could not be further removed from such a constituency. For in every Gujarat achievement he embedded a promise for India’s tomorrow.

When he talked about his biennial Vibrant Gujarat summits, he talked not about the investments coming to Gujarat, but the presence of people representing 20 percent of GDP in Gandhinagar.

When he talked of animal husbandry, he said efforts to extend veterinary services had resulted in the near eradication of 120 animal diseases. Implicit in this achievement in animal health is the promise: if I can do this for animals, what can I not do for the nation’s health?

He also subtly played on the emotional card linking Gujarat to India: that the whole of India is fed by his state’s milk, and, more importantly, Gujarat ka namak. The implicit meaning of a nation partaking of Gujarat’s namak builds on the Indian’s emotional belief – something Bollywood never tires of airing – that if you have tasted someone’s salt, you are bonded together like blood brothers.

His anecdotes also spoke of his future connect. He talked of a trip to Taiwan before he became CM of Gujarat, where one of the people he met asked him if India still had snake-charmers. His reply: we have become mouse charmers. The mouse he was referring to was the computer mouse.

And while he was on the subject of computers, he made a political point. He said that the computer revolution, widely claimed by Congress to be Rajiv Gandhi’s brainchild, was the achievement of India’s youth, and not any of its politicians.

Given the current anti-politician mood of Indian youth, who are all out on the streets, the subtler point was this: Modi was positioning himself as an outsider to Delhi politics who can set things right.

In every other sentence he uttered, he brought in youth and youth power. He said while other parties were talking of the new age voter, he would like to talk of their new age power. He did not fail to bring in Swami Vivekananda in the context of youth power. Vivekananda is Modi’s passport both to secular politics and a Hindu icon who transcends geography.

But in everything he said, Modi’s vision was about India’s place in the world – an aspiration every student could have identified with. Modi is one of the first political leaders to realise that India’s urban youth have sky-high aspirations, global dreams, and for this the world has to be their stage. He pandered to their dreams.

While the Congress is bogged down with marketing poverty and delivering subsidies to the poor (“Aapka paise, Aapka Haath”), Modi’s appeal was to a different audience, an audience that does not want charity and official benevolence, but an enabling environment for conquering the world of success.

To prove that his development model was not just about the rich, he managed to weave in a story about a Dalit who met Bill Clinton in Rajasthan during the latter’s visit. The Dalit apparently impressed the Clintons with the progress made in India. But this was also a subliminal memo that his development model was also about the most backward of Indians.

The audience vibed well when Modi talked about competing with China based on skill, scale and speed.

His final point was simple: the world won’t wait for us if we don’t change. And Modi offered himself as the change India’s youth, especially urban youth, wanted to see.

If one were to contrast Modi’s performance with that of Rahul Gandhi’s at the Congress meet last month, it is a no-contest. Modi’s performance establishes him as the potential mascot of urban India, young India – the India that wants to leave its past of regrets and non—performance behind.

Modi conquered his audience.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 06 Feb 2013 19:13

@SORBONNE75: NAMO's national future will be decided by surging youth power & not by irrelevance of MSM journos

@auldtimer
What happened to the protesters? Did they leave for pubs?

Gus · Post by **Gus** » 06 Feb 2013 19:15

is there a full transcript?

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 06 Feb 2013 19:20

Gus wrote:is there a full transcript?

http://www.narendramodi.in/development- ... s-at-srcc/

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 06 Feb 2013 20:10

It was an awesome speach. Maybe I am a tired defeated person, his words of achievement and our greatness brought tears into my eyes!!!
The speach was tailor made for SRCC and young crowd. Though I think it had too much of Gujarat in it (even if it was to make a point that it has been done there, it can also be done here.
I guess in Cowbelt and to not so english educated youth, this style has to change. Less how great Gujarat is (which it is), but how great say a Bundeli is (in Bundelkhand) or a Avadhi is (when in Avadh) or a Bihari is (and yes all of them are great!!).
rgds,
fanne

vijayk · Post by **vijayk** » 06 Feb 2013 20:10

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/live- ... 15955.html

Firstpost Editor Anant Rangaswami's first take on Modi's speech: He was brilliant

Whether you’re a fan of Narendra Modi or not, you have to admire the content of his speech. The audience was youth, and every area that Modi focused on was an area that matters most to the young: a bright future.

Decode his speech and these are the words which pop out: Development, Education, Youth, Progress, Brands, India, Success, Profit and Wealth creation, Going abroad, Pride, Technology, Brains and Employment.

That about covers all that the youth focus on. Modi was brilliant.

Time to change perception of India in the manufacturing sector'

"The whole world sees us a bazaar where they can dump products. We should look to make the world our bazaar and boost manufacturing", says Modi to great applause.

"Why shouldn't we make the 'Made in India' tag a statement of quality for our manufactured products?"

He has vision on every problem India is facing.

BDUTT @BDUTTModi direct outreach with students is a sign of changing times. In an age of hyper information Congress-style opaqueness wont do anymore

The PAID scum is little worried.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 06 Feb 2013 20:20

He offers hope when the INC offers more of the same sychophancy and povertization of the Indian public.

Yes the world is our oyster and this millenium will be ours if we seize it.

The last millenium was a washout thanks to early leaders cast in the INC mould.

BTW SSM is turning out to be chupe rustam.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 06 Feb 2013 20:23

Blog: When Modi asked if he could extend his speech, we said 'Yes!'

Radhika Gulati (19), is a second-year Commerce student at SRCC college. She was among the 1,800 students who were addressed today by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Here, she shares her experience:

Ever since we got to know that Narendra Modi was going to be a key note speaker in our college, we have been waiting to hear him. Gujarat today is considered one of India's most progressive states and the man responsible for it is chief minister Narendra Modi. So we wanted to understand his role and his ideas.

Today we stayed back in college for over four hours to listen to him, and he did not disappoint. We got to know through our parents that there were protests outside the college. I believe the protests were not needed as there is more to Mr Modi than the Gujarat riots of 2002. We can't judge him for that alone. He needs to be heard and judged for the contribution he's made to the state's development.

Speaking at length on the progress made by Gujarat, he showed us how he was leading by example. He offered statistics to show how Gujarat was making progress. But besides that he also talked about how youth could spearhead change in the country.

He said youth are the new-age power and told us how normal people can take steps for the betterment of this country. I totally agree with his view that the CWG could have showcased India's progress as a country but instead it highlighted corruption at all levels.

Not just me, everyone around me was listening with rapt attention to him. When he asked us permission to speak a little longer, the whole auditorium replied positively. We weren't bored even for a second which also shows what a good speaker he is.

Through his speech today I also felt that he is very dedicated to India's welfare. He mentioned how Gujarat's progress meant the country's progress. I hadn't followed his work too much before today, but after this I will keep track of Gujarat and his work. I really believe he will one day make for a great Prime Minister.

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed within this blog are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing on the blog do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/blog- ... yes-327411

vijayk · Post by **vijayk** » 06 Feb 2013 20:26

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789050
Will Stop Modi if He Talks Politics at Mahakumbh: SP

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi would be "stopped" if he indulges in politics during his visit to the ongoing Mahakumbh next week, a senior leader from the ruling Samajwadi Party said today.

"Mahakumbh is an occasion having spiritual and religious significance... Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi can come there and take a holy dip during his visit on February 13 and take the blessings of saints but if he opts to indulge in politics, he would be stopped," senior SP leader Ram Asrey Kushwaha told PTI on phone.

"Kumbh area is a religious place and it should remain as that... It is our advice and also our request," he said.

This is good. I hope UP people including the Yadav youth have to see the true colours of SP. Hopefully BJP should not back down. Force the issue. Make it a hue and cry. Fight the crook and Maya and keep reminding UP people that Mulyam and Maya are in bed with Sonia. The truth needs to be told again and again. I want BJP to plan for 30+ seats in UP. It is plausible.

Supratik · Post by **Supratik** » 06 Feb 2013 20:40

Did they show it on any TV channels? Are these people going to go out and vote? Remains to be seen how he reaches out to the rural youth.

Arjun · Post by **Arjun** » 06 Feb 2013 20:47

When a confirmed Modi-basher and Dynasty-supporter like Akshay Mishra writes like this, one knows one is witnessing a phenomenon playing out that's unlikely to repeat in the next 50 years....Modi the visionary trumps Modi the politician :

Brilliant. That’s probably an understatement. In a long, long time here’s a speech from a leader that actually carries a vision for the future, promise of happy possibilities and, in the end, inspires. Narendra Modi is known to be an outstanding orator, but he certainly outdid himself while speaking at Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in New Delhi.

It was a made-for-the-youth speech, catering to the hope and aspirations of the young India. “It is important how we view the youth of the nation. For most of the political leadership the youth is only a new age voter. I don’t see this attitude benefitting the nation…Leaders should see the youth as a power for the nation to progress.”

When did you last hear a leader talking of the youth with such clarity and confidence? If the speech was cleverly designed for a much wider national audience too, there’s no harm.

It was not Modi the politician speaking out there, it was Modi the visionary. The speech carried no rancour or malice towards anyone, but subtly hinted at maily failures of the country in the years since Independence. “I told a diplomat who had come to meet me recently that our greatest challenge is how to use opportunities. We have the youngest population in the world. In spite of being a young country we are being unable to use the opportunities we have,” he said.

Modi reads the pulse of the nation well. He made it clear while talking about the negativity all around and the general mood of despondency. “Even after six decades, the country is still looking for good governance. We have failed in this field. This has created a negative environment all around. There is disappointment all around us. People say that everyone is a thief. The youth want to leave the country.”

The youth of the country has certainly been on the boil over the last many years, pouring onto the streets with anger at every perceived act of injustice. Modi is too smart a politician to miss that. His speech reflected that amply.

He was not making empty statements out there. If he had read the problems of the country well, he had solution for these too. “We are not a poor country. We are rich in natural resources. We are not using our resources properly, our challenge is to use them fully,” he said, adding, “We have developed our state on three pillars – agriculture, industry and service sector. Even if one pillar fails, the other two can support the economy of the state.’’

The range of subjects he took up was impressive. There has been no speech in recent times talking about development, education, youth, progress, right branding, profit, pride and technology in the same breath.

There’s no evidence yet that Modi has developed all of that into a comprehensive economic ideology or a tool of revolution – the country cannot make Gujarat a model in any case – but the fact that a leader was taking up such issues was impressive enough. One is afraid not many of our current bunch of leaders are capable of that.

It’s difficult to say that Modi’s vision is flawless. In India, things always go wrong in the vast gap between visions and the ground reality. The Gujarat story he narrated with great pride is not blemishless either. But give it to the man. He exudes a sense of authority and conviction. If he did not have a past and friends with a dirty track record, you would probably buy his vision without questions and vote him your leader.

At SRCC it was Modi’s show and as is usual with all Modi shows, he hogged the limelight. The Congress is not impressed. But it does not matter. Let the party come up with a similar vision of its own. For now, Narendra Modi take a bow.

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 06 Feb 2013 20:57

Self deleted, already posted by Arjun

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 06 Feb 2013 21:02

@bibekdebroy
Among my circle of friends, stock of SRCC alumni up. Stephens' down. Presidency (Kolkata) hide having studied there.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 06 Feb 2013 21:25

Nidhi Razdan was getting so antsy on her program on NDTV. She asks a question to an 18-yr old on the panel on Modi and moral dilemma; the 18-yr is clearly nervous being on the national TV and answers very admirably talking about Modi as a leader with a vision - which was important to him. Nidhi keeps bringing in Gujarat riots and morals, dilemma ityadi. The 18-yr gets further shaken, he keeps replying with ample "Mam's {as in madam}. He tries to brush those things, but Nidhi would not allow him to do so. She then turns to Nalin Kohli with some questions, but then when Nalin starts off with numbers; she knows her goose is cooked - she bombards with some non-sense never allowing him to answer. Her body language was a dead give away, she was flustered - she brushes her hair from her forehead, she suddenly looks at the camera and is visibly anti-Modi. It is not a sign of a good journalist trying to dig both sides of an issue or an individual. Nothing wrong in bringing the flaws of Modi and Gujarat. But she never let the people on her panels talk.

It is clear....Modi is winning hearts and minds of youngistan; and somebody is deeply unhappy about all this. NDTV had a sidebar of how badly Gujarat was doing when compared to other States.

ps: sad that I still think Nidhi is hot

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Feb 2013 21:44

When the undietv anchor tried to bring in riots after a couple students from campus spoke in favour of namo, the bjp spokesman who was on the panel blasted her saying he was a refugee cum kashmiri pandit and lets talk of anri sikh riots.

The other gent was leftist delhi univ professor.

Going into the heart of delhi and putting some khujli on this vast octupus is like hamunaji raiding lanka or the dieppe raid imo.

Lights will burn long in the yuvraj,s castle tonight as courtiers try to analyze and craft a response and reassure the clown prince that all is well.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 06 Feb 2013 21:55

That girl is 19 years old and can write like that!

Wow we need people like that on BRF.

GD, I too thought of Hanumanji's raid on Lanka while reading his speech.

No wonder NDTV anchors etc are in a tizzy like the rakshasa guards who sense the shifiting sands.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 06 Feb 2013 21:56

There was this lady on the panel, who brought in 1984 riots and said Sonia apologized for that; and she wanted Modi to apologize for Gujarat riots. She is so stupid that she does not hear what she says; she does not hold Modi responsible for the riots and thinks it is up to the judiciary to decide that; however as a CM he still needs to apologize. WTF? If Modi did not machine those riots and cannot be held responsible; then why should he apologize. It is a simple case of law and order and I do not think any CM or leader has apologized for riots in any other part of the country. They learn the lessons and move on; improve the police force, response teams and judiciary.

I like the 'Punjabi' gentleman, who answered strongly and very effectively. He talked about his parents generation coming from pre-partition India hating Muslims, and his generation having mixed thoughts, and the next generation having no time for India-Pakistan trouble - wanting development and progress. His narration was real, to the heart and correct. Yet Nidhi kept going to Gujarat riots. Anybody know his name?

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 06 Feb 2013 21:59

First Post writers are clearly impressed:

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/srcc- ... 16334.html
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/how-m ... 16213.html
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/21st- ... 16295.html

ShyamSP · Post by **ShyamSP** » 06 Feb 2013 22:05

SwamyG wrote:Nidhi Razdan was getting so antsy on her program on NDTV. She asks a question to an 18-yr old on the panel on Modi and moral dilemma; the 18-yr is clearly nervous being on the national TV and answers very admirably talking about Modi as a leader with a vision - which was important to him. Nidhi keeps bringing in Gujarat riots and morals, dilemma ityadi. The 18-yr gets further shaken, he keeps replying with ample "Mam's {as in madam}. He tries to brush those things, but Nidhi would not allow him to do so. She then turns to Nalin Kohli with some questions, but then when Nalin starts off with numbers; she knows her goose is cooked - she bombards with some non-sense never allowing him to answer. Her body language was a dead give away, she was flustered - she brushes her hair from her forehead, she suddenly looks at the camera and is visibly anti-Modi. It is not a sign of a good journalist trying to dig both sides of an issue or an individual. Nothing wrong in bringing the flaws of Modi and Gujarat. But she never let the people on her panels talk.

It is clear....Modi is winning hearts and minds of youngistan; and somebody is deeply unhappy about all this. NDTV had a sidebar of how badly Gujarat was doing when compared to other States.

ps: sad that I still think Nidhi is hot

Looks like she got good NDTV training on looking at large picture of riots instead of on silly things like people's development

http://www.mediacrooks.com/2012/04/indi ... RKJkOge7i1
10. Nidhi Razdan, NDTV (New entry): She has come to prominence more for many reasons other than journalistic skills. ‘Left, right, centre’ is her signature programme and happens to be one of those mindless debates on every topic under the sun. She is proof that you can be an expert on everything with specialisation in nothing. The best part of Nidhi? Now, don’t get me wrong, she likes everything large. Whenever confounded by a brilliant argument or point by a panellist she quickly jumps to her favourite line “let’s look at the LARGER picture”. One would have thought that debates are meant to look at the finer small details. No, not with Nidhi, the larger picture is a convenient exit. Training from NDTV helps. My prediction for this debutant is that she is likely to go higher up in the list in the future.

à¤µà¤°à¥à¤£ · Post by **à¤µà¤°à¥à¤£** » 06 Feb 2013 22:08

SwamyG wrote: I like the 'Punjabi' gentleman, who answered strongly and very effectively. He talked about his parents generation coming from pre-partition India hating Muslims, and his generation having mixed thoughts, and the next generation having no time for India-Pakistan trouble - wanting development and progress. His narration was real, to the heart and correct. Yet Nidhi kept going to Gujarat riots. Anybody know his name?

Sunil Alagh.

rajkumar · Post by **rajkumar** » 06 Feb 2013 22:18

fanne wrote:It was an awesome speach. Maybe I am a tired defeated person, his words of achievement and our greatness brought tears into my eyes!!!

Same here

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 06 Feb 2013 22:18

Varun (वरुण): Thanks. I was so impressed, he weaved the right narration. When confronted about branding and marketing of the Modi image; he protested about the terms but then ably pointed out how Obama had to use those tactics to win Hillary Clinton in the Democrats primary; and then become the President. He essentially said "Yes, marking is important in democracy, and a leader has to do that. Period". It takes courage as well as confidence in the present and future to say (paraphrasing) "my parents generation came out hating muslims" on national TV. Nobody took him to task on that. Because everybody on that panel knew that to be true. He rightly pointed out Muslims going into Pakistan from pre-partitioned India hated the Hindus.

A very noticeable pattern among the panelists is that the quality of pro-Modi supporters is getting better. Like during the initial days of BJP - when public find BJP a different party there is a strong support and many scholars, service men, middle class jumped on to the BJP wagon. Of course it takes the RJBM movement to get the votes. I see a pattern now, with Modi appearing to be electable - there will be a line of intellectuals, seculars, scholars, students, industrialists, aam working class people joining Modi wagon.

Another trait about the pro-Modi supporters on the TV is that they do not systematically, politely and with facts demolish the Nehru-Gandhi family/image. There is some kind of bubble around Sonia-Rahul that nobody wants to pierce. For example, when asked about Modi branding, they should have said 'Rahul is doing the same thing onlee'. The moment that bubble is burst, it will be a field day and Indian politics would have further taken a step towards maturity. Good days are ahead onlee.

sum · Post by **sum** » 06 Feb 2013 22:31

There is some kind of bubble around Sonia-Rahul that nobody wants to pierce. For example, when asked about Modi branding, they should have said 'Rahul is doing the same thing onlee'.

Actually similar thing happened on NDTV show on "social networking for youth" where the topic was again NaMo

The anchor kept going on and on about Modi mixing politics with education and using college as a platform to give his political ideas to youth. At this point, the BJP spokesman ( seems to be a new suave guy) replied "sweetheart, when RG does the same, you hail him and are in raptures but when NaMo does it, it becomes wrong? Everything is politics and even you sitting here and having this line of questioning is politics itself."

The face of the PYT had to be seen!

Its clear that NDTV is clearly rattled. Also more amazing is reading known lifafa like Akshaya Mitra going ga-ga on NaMo

Supratik · Post by **Supratik** » 06 Feb 2013 22:45

I still hope Modi does not get into the mistake of the "India shining" campaign and try to appeal just to the urban voters specially the middle class who do not come out in large numbers to vote. BTW, BJP won 80-90% of the urban constituencies in Gujrat. Two-thirds of India is rural and he needs to reach out to them. But I think the campaign has begun.

Arjun · Post by **Arjun** » 06 Feb 2013 22:51

Some excellent points made in this article...worth reading in full: Modi looks ahead, Rahul looks back, that's the difference

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 06 Feb 2013 23:10

I am a NM supporter and anti-congress-vadi.

I think BJP should go for at least a simple-majority on its own in upcoming elections. The states it need to make pre-poll alliances are
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. NE states
4. Punjab
5. Orissa
6. West Bengal if possible

Everywhere else, it should go on its own under NM leadership.

I think this will get them simple majority on their own.

Supratik · Post by **Supratik** » 06 Feb 2013 23:28

That is over-optimistic. If he manages a simple majority with a coalition that will be great. Re: WB BJP doesn't have much of a base, no inspiring leader and Mamata will not ally and help the CPI-M. They may win Darjeeling with GJM and if a Vajpayee-like wave takes place 1 or 2 other seats.

suryag · Post by **suryag** » 07 Feb 2013 00:13

i liked the mouse charmer and the glass funda and he doesnt have a written speech and i forgot did he say "theek hai" at the end?

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 07 Feb 2013 00:21

Modi is the next big thing. Unfortunately, so many people are hooked on gov handouts and muslims can't get out of their stone age mentality so UPA-3 currently has a greater chance of happening. BJP has very little presence in many states needed for majority. Modi will have to hit hard and fast and keep the sense of mysteriousness and awe.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 07 Feb 2013 00:34

Supratik wrote:Did they show it on any TV channels? Are these people going to go out and vote? Remains to be seen how he reaches out to the rural youth.

This is broadcasted live on all channels including DD (that is a surprise for me). Youtube also telecasted it live. This is a changed situation for sure. A keynote address in a college got worlwide coverage.

The only caution I would do is that the campaign is starting to be like a US President style and BJP is always good at that. But they have to win a divisive battle at each constituency and the charm doesn't work the same way.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 07 Feb 2013 00:39

Can Sonia G and Rahul G survive in the wilderness after 10 years in power? Would Rahul persist in leading Congress if he knows he doesn't have that many sops to distribute? What if Modi comes again 2019? Can Rahul still be playing the innings after 10 years? Does he have the stamina?

When would the Congress finally dump the dynasty?

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 07 Feb 2013 00:42

RajeshA wrote:Can Sonia G and Rahul G survive in the wilderness after 10 years in power? Would Rahul persist in leading Congress if he knows he doesn't have that many sops to distribute? What if Modi comes again 2019? Can Rahul still be playing the innings after 10 years? Does he have the stamina?

When would the Congress finally dump the dynasty?

If Modi forms government, SG and RG will be in exile. This is the last stretch of the dynasty.

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 07 Feb 2013 00:56

Not only 2G. All the crooked media personalities, ngo wallahs, naxalite sympathzers, corrupt politicians, hurriyat types, etc are going to be on the first flight out. BRF dictionary should add the term "The Great Exodus" in the event that it does happen.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 07 Feb 2013 01:02

Supratik wrote:I still hope Modi does not get into the mistake of the "India shining" campaign and try to appeal just to the urban voters specially the middle class who do not come out in large numbers to vote. BTW, BJP won 80-90% of the urban constituencies in Gujrat. Two-thirds of India is rural and he needs to reach out to them. But I think the campaign has begun.

I too worry about this. His speech was wonderful and must have struck a chord with the Urban middle-class youth. But the problem remains that most of India still votes either on caste lines or on dole-outs. I don't yet know how NM and the BJP in general are going to overcome this hurdle.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 07 Feb 2013 03:23

Damn I keep clicking on this "Narendra Kohli" dhaga by mistake only...

OK, I haven't yet heard the speech (was in Hindi, I hope) but this bolded part below is the same point I was trying to make (but which was wasted on spit-&-scoot trolls that surface in this dhaga occasionally):

“There is a sense of despondency in the country. People feel nothing would change here. All are thieves, everything they do is waste. People consider it a curse to be born in India. They want to leave the country soon after completing their studies,” Modi said delivering the Shri Ram Memorial Oration.

“But my thought is different. I am the Chief Minister for fourth term and based on my experience, with the same law, same Constitution, same rules and regulations, same officers, same people, same files, we can move forward. We can do a lot. I am confident that we can change things,” he said.

Enthused to see such ide coverage and all. MSM's realized despite itself that their readership wants more NaMo, not more cute-dimply-cheeks-amul-baby type of eulogies. Which is why even the rrrNDTV types can't escape from revolving around NM in their programming on an almost daily basis only ....

Also, could be a sign perhaps that 'em "int'l networks of interests" have decided to give NM a chance and their MSM investments are following orders only, who knows...

Anyway, Jai ho, NaMo namaha, and all that...

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 07 Feb 2013 03:32

As Modi aims at top post, VHP wants him to endorse hardline Hindutva

More media badmashi or is there truth to this report?

As Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi hankers for support for his 2014 prime ministerial venture, his eyes will also be set on Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) conclave at the MahaKumbh in Allahabad.

However, a consolidated support at the national stage can come only on VHP's condition of endorsing the Hindutva plank.
[...]
But will the VHP support Modi in 2014? Sources close to Headlines Today say that VHP wants Modi to endorse the hardline form of Hindutva, give a commitment to building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and follow the lead of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

As the VHP conclave plans a fresh Hindutva wave, the BJP seems to have been caught in a dilemma. Embracing Hindutva may alienate secular allies and may trigger Muslim consolidation against BJP. But shunning Hindutva surely may invite the wrath of RSS, VHP and cost Modi dear.

Well, NM has the advantage of not having to prove his Hindu credentials to anyone. So he can probably cherry pick his agenda items in this case...that is if he chooses to engage at all...