Narendra Modi vs the Dynasty: Contrasting Ideas of India

vivek.rao · Post by **vivek.rao** » 05 May 2014 06:54

http://liveblogs.indiatimes.com/men-and ... -like-him/

It has been an exhilarating month. We have marvelled at the sights and sounds of India’s great election mela on our television screens. The image, most memorably etched in my mind is of a confident Muslim boy, Fareed, in a small town in Western UP. When the female interviewer asks his name, he retorts with a flirtatious smile, “Who wants to know?” He tells us proudly that the pucca street on which they are standing was a kaccha village road not long ago. As the camera pans, he points to three barber shops, two beauty parlours, an electronics store and an unfinished tower. “This is going to be our mall!” Fareed runs a small business delivering flowers to the big city nearby, but business has been rotten in the past two years; most of his friends have lost their jobs. “Do you think I’d be hanging around chatting… even to a beautiful woman?” She blushes. “That’s why I plan to vote for Modi. Yes, I know, Muslim and Modi, but he promises jobs and growth.”

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 05 May 2014 07:09

ramana wrote:Getting difficult to stand sanctimonious tripe for non-Indian members. When MMS was PM what to do it was follow the leader! But expect it will be a free for all once 5/16 comes.

Karmaa... The unforgetting & unforgiving female dog.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 05 May 2014 07:13

By the way where is our Congress PM candidate, Sri Rahul Manmohan Gandhi?

What is his rally/meeting schedule? Is he doing any rallies/meetings all over India? Is that why he can't campaign in Amethi?

vivek.rao · Post by **vivek.rao** » 05 May 2014 07:18

The Rising BJP Vote

However, by the late 80s and the early 90s, the Hindutva parts (in short, the Jan Sangh manifesto) had more or less completely dominated the governance part (Swatantra Party manifesto). People only saw the BJP as the `Indic party’ and those who voted for the BJP voted for their Hindutva agenda. The BJP was clear on what they wanted to do, no matter how difficult. Their economic agenda, on the other hand, was less clear. How would they support the liberalisation process that was in progress at that point? What would they do to support Indian trade and manufacturing? All these were vital questions, and the BJP had some answers, but their focus was rarely on the economic agenda. The Hindutva agenda, along with the security angle, was what the BJP was seeking votes on. In one sense, given what India was going through in the late 80s and early 90s (Shah Bano, Babri Masjid mess started by the Congress, Mandal, exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits, etc), it was needed. But, nevertheless, BJP’s Ram temple agenda received more attention than their economic policies, and people voted because they emotionally identified with the Hindutva

However, there were several regions where the BJP’s Hindutva agenda had failed to garner a good response. The eastern seaboard from Bengal in the north, to Tamil Nadu in the south, along with Kerala, was impervious to the BJP agenda of Hindutva. Many explanations have been proferred for the BJP’s failure in these regions, but the principal one is that the these regions had their own regionalism as the dominant theme, and Hindutva consciousness had not penetrated into these regions. BJP vote was significant, but small in these regions. The elites of the region were still with the Congress or the regional parties.

While the BJP sold a theme that they were still keen on Hindutva to their supporters, they made a deal to remove parts of it objectionable to their allies, and on the strength of it, came to power in 1998 and 1999. Based on the fact that they had come close to power, and many allies were willing to share power with them if they abandoned the Hindutva agenda, the strategy had many immediate rewards. The BJP vote share rose to 25% in 1998, and 24% in 1999 (mainly because they had more allies in 1999), and the BJP was able to come to power reasonably comfortably. However, by abandoning their genuine agenda, the BJP also looked to have signed a death warrant for itself. Its supporters had lost faith in it, and they abandoned it in droves in 2004, particularly in their core areas, sending its vote share falling back to 22%, and dropping their tally by 45 seats. The BJP endured an even more humiliating experience – all its allies who had joined it for the sake of the power now abandoned it, since there was no more prospect of the BJP coming to power in the near future, and the BJP had sacrificed what little it had gained in the states where Allies were strong. Only ideological allies like the SAD and the Shiv Sena stuck to the BJP.

The collapse of the credibility of BJP leaders on the Hindutva agenda had affected the Delhi based leaders, but had not, however, advanced to the BJP leadership in the states. One man, in particular, who retained the affection and respect of the BJP cadre, was Narendra Modi. The target of a witch hunt by the secular-liberal intelligentsia in India and abroad, he had come through his ordeal, not only unbowed, but also considerably stronger. And with a single minded focus on development, and a strong focus on his own personal Hindu credentials, Narendra Modi has captured the hearts of not only the Hindutva afficionados, but also the ones who prioritise development. And this is the secret behind the second phase of the BJP growth.

Today, what has happened is that both the Hindutva and the governance parts have been united in the person of NaMo in a sensible whole. He is showing the way forward, and has been able to balance both the Hindu interests and the governance+business interests. This is a great thing in that the man, as long as he is around, will probably be able to unite the two parts within himself. Consequently, Narendra Modi is not only getting the Hindutva people to volunteer and help with his campaign, he has also been able to take the Swatantra Party type people with him. This is the secret behind the lotus blossoming in the south. While much of the south has never been hot about Hindutva, it is always very interested in good governance. While many south Indians are devout Hindus in personal life, few are enamoured about wearing their religious identity on their sleeve. Centred around business interests, who will also help Hindutva within limits (many minorities are not inimical to Hindu interests), the BJP can become the true right wing party in Indian politics, and what is happening is what I had always hoped would happen – the amalgamation of the Swatantra party and the Jan Sangh parts into one unified coherent force. This represents the second phase of the BJP’s growth, and the cumulative BJP vote is expected to to be around 30% of the national vote in this election.

Now it is for Narendra Modi to give further direction to this unified group, that has genuine reverence for him, and also fashion the party into an economically sound, culturally strong force, that can take with it all nationalists. But what the BJP needs (and what has already begun happening to an extent via people like Shivraj Chauhan, Raman Singh, Manohar Parrikar, and Gen. Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri, etc) is the generation of a whole horde of people, particularly in the various states, in whom the two sides, governance, and cultural nationalism, can be united and balanced. He should focus on building a team of competent people, particularly for CMs and ministers of states (this is the pool from which further talent for the Centre will be drawn). The PM should be the first among equals, with an extremely capable team around him.

disha · Post by **disha** » 05 May 2014 07:42

^^ Proves my point

Vikaas and Surajya is Hindutva only.

Everything else, from Art. 370 to UCC to Ayodhya to tackling BD illegal immigration is then an expression of "hindutva".

However for that to happen, let Vikaas and Surajya flourish first.

PS: My last point on the above subject.

KLNMurthy · Post by **KLNMurthy** » 05 May 2014 08:11

RamaY wrote:^

Aha, Hindu sammskriti & Samskara excuse...
KLNM garu, aren't Seculars asking the same thing toward Islamic and Christian invaders?

Abki Baar Modi Sarkaar!

Please don't confuse matters by bringing in invaders, or seculars.

I pointed out a very simple thing: We can fight for Bharatiya SamskRti without abandoning the core concept of that very saMskRti, which is respect for women. Furthermore, our saMskaaraM has always been about keeping a pure heart and soul and not giving in to baser instincts inspite of provocation. Modi has shown clearly that one can maintain these standards and still be a fighter, not a loser-weakling who simply makes excuses for not fighting. If not for this kind of sterling character and leadership and intellect, what is the reason to support Modi at all?

Furthermore, the simple, unsophisticated people of Amethi without the benefit of BRF, have given a powerful and resounding answer to Priyanka's childish and pathetic attempts to paint Modi as a fearsome monster. So, there is no need for us to debase ourselves by giving up our core values at the slightest provocation.

I thought this is a straightforward thing. Maybe it is not, maybe I am missing something. Or maybe it is somehow so important to take this Priyanka woman's body apart and trash it verbally as is being done. I find it to be an ugly and un-Hindu thing, but I am only saying what I know and feel. Everyone can of course make their own choice based on their own thinking and saMskaaraM.

KLNMurthy · Post by **KLNMurthy** » 05 May 2014 08:17

R_Kumar wrote:
KLNMurthy wrote: Can we please leave her looks alone? Those are God-given. Character is what counts.
Technically you are right. But if you think about its all about look when it comes to this woman. Barkha Dutt even had one long article about her "European look" and why how her white skin and good look attracts poor people.

it only shows Barkha's disrespect for, and ignorance of, and underestimation of, India's Janata-janardhan as Modi puts it. The voters have made it clear that they are more than capable of looking beyond such superficialities and hiring the most qualified political leader for their purpose.

Lilo · Post by **Lilo** » 05 May 2014 08:38

saars,
Looks of Bianca Vadra is OT for the thread.
Please to not drag that discussion here.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 05 May 2014 08:47

What ever one might call Modi, one thing is certain he is a great/fast learner and uses his learning well to solve problems. In the "Samay" interview (around 30:15), the interviewer and he are talking about how one thing can upset the total system. He gives an analogy of how a latest and greatest laptop with all the best software is useless when an virus attacks it. I thought, oh he must have over heard from one of his IT teams. Then the interviewer talks about how anti-virus is necessary to remove the virus. Modi immediately counters it by saying anti-virus is useless and what is needed is a "firewall". Well one could argue some of the nuances, but I was totally blown away.

Where does he get the time/energy to learn these things and apply them to problems and explain it easily to these journalists/people? Wow.

KLP Dubey · Post by **KLP Dubey** » 05 May 2014 08:53

KLNMurthy wrote:So, there is no need for us to debase ourselves by giving up our core values at the slightest provocation.

I thought this is a straightforward thing. Maybe it is not, maybe I am missing something. Or maybe it is somehow so important to take this Priyanka woman's body apart and trash it verbally as is being done. I find it to be an ugly and un-Hindu thing, but I am only saying what I know and feel. Everyone can of course make their own choice based on their own thinking and saMskaaraM.

Nobody here is writing essays on Bianca's looks. Two lines was more than enough, and that spoiled and clueless brat very well deserves it. Let's leave it at that now.

Broadly speaking, your comments are more in line with "sanyaasa-dharma" which is not useful in the election. "Core values" are not all the same for everyone. Kshatriya-dharma, for instance, is different. You must use all aggressive means in a righteous battle. Even people like Ramadeva (a sanyasi) has taken up more 'worldly' positions in the election.

Again, I trust the Epics and the Bhagavad Gita as far as "Hindu" values are concerned. So please read up. According to your comments, the conduct of the Mahabharata war would be probably "un-Hindu" in your book.

Anantha · Post by **Anantha** » 05 May 2014 09:04

I can't play cricket well. However, my sister can be a good cheerleader. Please make me the Indian captain.
Chetan Bhagat....Epic troll on Pappu

gandharva · Post by **gandharva** » 05 May 2014 09:09

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 05 May 2014 09:15

RamaY wrote:^ my math is weak.. does it add to 543 seats?

Run don't walk to the store to buy that great math book - algebra of infinite justice by our own mathematician Ms. Susan A. Roy

. That will cure your innumeracy.

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 05 May 2014 09:23

NaMo will lose onlee.

SagarAg · Post by **SagarAg** » 05 May 2014 09:57

TsuNaMo

member_28352 · Post by **member_28352** » 05 May 2014 10:08

Dharmics are not necessarily averse to the power and pelf of office. BC Khanduri was ousted as CM of Uttarkhand as he refused to be corrupt and also let others indulge in corruption.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 05 May 2014 10:13

*bad* idea this one.... The same turds who pushed to ban Salwa Judum, whereby innocent tribals could defend themselves against maoists in Chattisgarh ...now want this?

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 05 May 2014 10:32

^^Arming Bangladeshis in Assam against the locals is a sure fire recipe for a bloodbath that will put Iraq to shame. Even if the phukkers don't do it, the BDs in Assam have now got the tacit go ahead to arm themselves with the help of Islamists in BD. I'm afraid lamppost time is arriving in Assam very soon.

sum · Post by **sum** » 05 May 2014 10:35

^^ Sad thing is this might happen under NaMo rule and once again, communal Modi caused genocide hungama will start!

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 05 May 2014 10:37

At what time is the Modi Amethi rally?

niran · Post by **niran** » 05 May 2014 10:40

abhik wrote:At what time is the Modi Amethi rally?

1540 hours IST

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 05 May 2014 10:51

https://twitter.com/diggyleaks

vic · Post by **vic** » 05 May 2014 12:14

I think general public has decided to vote for MODI. Now every time MSM abuses Modi attitude to vote for Modi becomes more hardened. Every criticism of Modi by MSM is taken as their criticism by voters. I think Modi cannot be brought down by MSM now, he is too far ahead.

panduranghari · Post by **panduranghari** » 05 May 2014 12:15

RamaY wrote:
ramana wrote:Getting difficult to stand sanctimonious tripe for non-Indian members. When MMS was PM what to do it was follow the leader! But expect it will be a free for all once 5/16 comes.
Karmaa... The unforgetting & unforgiving female dog.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 05 May 2014 12:16

Modi is in Faizabad, addressing a rally at present. (on India tv i saw).

Faizabad is the twin city to Ayodhya. Any news on whether or not NM visited the make shift shrine at the Babri site? At least on a private visit? I'd be *very* disappointed if he did not do so.

THe stage where he's speaking in Faizabad has a massive Sri Rama cutout behind him. Modi talking of ramrajya and how Gandhiji was all for it too.... Gladdens the jingo heart.

Added later: ooh, its not just Lord Rama's fotu but also that of the proposed Ram mandir... could such be putup without NM's implicit OK?

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 05 May 2014 12:23

matrimc wrote:
RamaY wrote:^ my math is weak.. does it add to 543 seats?
Run don't walk to the store to buy that great math book - algebra of infinite justice by our own mathematician Ms. Susan A. Roy . That will cure your innumeracy.

Our boys are on a roll

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 05 May 2014 12:27

Meanwhile, psec camp dhoti shiver picking up pace a tad, seems like...

kancha · Post by **kancha** » 05 May 2014 12:34

There. QED

niran · Post by **niran** » 05 May 2014 12:35

Hari Seldon wrote: THe stage where he's speaking in Faizabad has a massive Sri Rama cutout behind him. Modi talking of ramrajya and how Gandhiji was all for it too.... Gladdens the jingo heart.

Added later: ooh, its not just Lord Rama's fotu but also that of the proposed Ram mandir... could such be putup without NM's implicit OK?

this is similar to a background used by a very prominent Ram katha vachak (He who tells the story of Lord Shree Ram)
he has an organization in Ayudhoya. so in one step he riles sekulars pacifies the Communal and ECI can onree suck their thumbs.

vipins · Post by **vipins** » 05 May 2014 13:00

TIMES NOW @timesnow · 2m
Congress to file complaint against Narendra Modi with Election Commission for using Ram Mandir backdrop at his Faizabad rally #India2014

niran · Post by **niran** » 05 May 2014 13:04

vipins wrote:TIMES NOW @timesnow · 2m
Congress to file complaint against Narendra Modi with Election Commission for using Ram Mandir backdrop at his Faizabad rally #India2014

never thought congress would be this stupid, why cannot they see NaMo and his team tactic? it is evident even to me.

Patni · Post by **Patni** » 05 May 2014 13:23

EC already asked for report on rally! States asking for vote on name of religion is wrong and will act on it. Mmmm so queenb asking for mullah blessing for vote is not based on religion??

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 05 May 2014 13:26

Just for laughs only.... doing the rounds on twitter, on how har hand sakti + tarakki has hit upon a new campaign slogan...har hand change....

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 05 May 2014 13:33

James B · Post by **James B** » 05 May 2014 13:44

Some more insight into the work ethics of Modi and also how 3D hologram speeches came about

'He is a very colourful man with a great sense of style. I have not seen another politician that dresses so well.'

'He is so knowledgeable. He would talk to you about sports, technology, world affairs... there is no subject that he can't talk about.'

Cinematographer Senthil Kumar on shooting Modi in 3D.

Senthil Kumar recalls he was floored the moment Modi walked in. "I had no idea what he was like in person. When I met him, I liked the way he carried himself," he says. "There was an aura about him; he looked like a divine personality."

"The way he dressed, the way he spoke, the way he walked -- everything about him impressed me. His body language was that of a leader, and he looked like a giant. He greeted each and every one of us personally and asked whether we were comfortable and had food. Only when he was assured that we had all eaten and were fine that he asked if we could get down to work."

The first time Modi saw Senthil Kumar, he called him a hippie because of his long and unruly hair; a nickname that stuck!

Mani Shankar and Senthil Kumar had erected a set to shoot a sample hologram speech. The set resembled a dais with a mike in the corner and a chair for Modi to sit. They asked him to walk on to the dais and sit on a chair, at which point a person was asked to come and garland him. He was then asked to approach the mike and start talking. He was asked to speak for a few minutes on the hologram.

Both Mani Shankar and Senthil Kumar were in for a surprise when Modi started talking about holograms. "What amazed us was the subject of his speech, He had spent time learning about holograms and spoke about the technology for about 25 minutes. After he spoke, we showed him what he said in hologram so that he could get an idea how it worked. He was happy and said we shall use it in the assembly election."

Once Modi liked what he saw, everything moved fast. The very next day, they met again and he was ready to shoot his speeches for the assembly election. Once again, they were in for a surprise. "He would talk for up to an hour-and-a-half without a break. Through this period, he used no notes or reference material. I realised then that he was a great orator, though I couldn't understand much of what he was saying due to my limited Hindi."

http://www.rediff.com/news/special/ls-e ... 140505.htm

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 05 May 2014 13:52

Muppalla wrote:
nageshks wrote: Indra-ji,
That is one way of looking at it. But holding polls in several phases has also allowed the BJP to shift its limited cadre from seat to seat, thus making its prospects better in many regions where it is weak (WB, Assam, even UP to an extent). So, I am not at all convinced that the multi phased poll is bad for BJP. BJP has gained in some areas, and has lost in other areas.
+100
There are advantages and disadvantages for INC. Advantages are they can easily rig the elections as BJP will be found wanting at several areas because they don't even have folks to sit at booths as agents in some states. I know few friends who were in MP moved to Varanasi etc. Same with WB. Another advantage is it gives a way where the opposition start campaigners will wearout and campaign fatigue will catch on. Disadvantages are especially if you are fighting with back on the wall. The opposition gets a good amount of time to campaign. In this case Modi took the advantages fully. He is campaigning with an expected huge rally in Amethi. He couldn't still do the same in Raibareili. If it was two weeks and be done with then Modi would never got a chance to visit Amethi.

Then the EC can reach more voting booths in more areas with a better coverage over every area. This enables greater no. of people to vote.

We all know that greater voting % is linked to BJP coming into power.

member_28468 · Post by **member_28468** » 05 May 2014 14:58

What is wrong with media

now showing shri ram poster behind modi

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 05 May 2014 15:05

As long as the EC remained free of Secularism, Modi stood for anti-corruption, good governance, skill development and employment for all.

When EC itself became Secular (Islam without Mullahs & Christianity without Church), nothing wrong with Modi pulling his Hinduism card.

It also helps in next two phases of polls.

Abki Bar Modi Sarkar!

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 05 May 2014 15:08

NitiCentral.com ‏@NitiCentral 2h

Coming Soon : "Battle for Amethi"@narendramodi's Mega rally in #Amethi. Watch LIVE at 3.45 PM #NaMoINAmethi pic.twitter.com/f0R5fjlNEv

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 05 May 2014 15:22

Thalaivar Rajinikanth makes Twitter debut @SuperStarRajini

I wonder if NaMo wants to bring in Rajnikanth into BJP and then make a go at power in Tamil Nadu in the assembly elections slated for April 2016.

With Modi as PM at the center, Rajnikanth can expect a lot more political and security support from Modi.