The applauses and celebrations at the BJP National Executive meeting at Goa indeed sent vibrations throughout the nation as the polity gears up for the 2014 elections. Right from the conspicuous absence of the Right-wing stalwart who had led the party from a mere figure of two seats up to 182 in the Lok Sabha, L.K. Advani, and others like Uma Bharati, Yashwant Sinha owing to several reasons, the meeting caught the attention of the masses because of the new brigade to watch out for. The much awaited decision finally came on the holy Sunday where Goa once again proved lucky for the incumbent Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi (who was given charge for Gujarat in 2002 at Goa only), as he was made the chief for election campaign in five States and at the Union level.
The purpose of this writing is to question the iconisation of Modi that needs to be contested. As far as it is an internal party matter to augment the vote-share, the much-hyped elevation of Modi sounds fine, but the translation of it at the realm of management of affairs of the nation is something which lacks logic and acumen.
Modi has seldom refused to talk about the contentious infamous post-Godhra riots which were by any standard a stigma on humankind. He often claims that he is misjudged by the media and civil society. Though he may proclaim to be a leader with an appeal to the global fora, one cannot also overlook instances where he was denied visa to visit the US on the pretext of his utter disregard for respect for communal harmony in the past. Development cannot be the only plank in his armoury to shield him against this crude reality of being a mute spectator in the process to destroy the composite fabric of society.
In course of time one may expect Modi to apologise and express remorse over the massacre of several thousand innocents. However, our citizenry is wise enough now to differentiate between honesty and opportunistic stunts to garner votes.
It is expected for the Opposition to criticise the government. However, to locate the cause of all ills of the nation at the door of the Congress, constant scorn and derision at the office of the Prime Minister and United Progressive Alliance chairperson smacks of lack of critical analysis. During his coronation speech, there was no word from Modi about his vision for the nation. It is easy to criticise but herculean to present a solution. Further, looking at the colossal problems facing the country which are of varied nature, it will be foolhardy to assume that a magic wand in one's hand shall rectify them overnight.
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At the start of his fourth term as the State CM, Modi voiced his desire to rule over the nation so as to serve the motherland. The contentious problem with this ambition is that he is a polarising factor. The Sangh Parivar is against him. He seems to have subordinated the party so as to reach out at the top. When one cannot keep one's own house in order at the micro level as seen from the abstention of the dissenting voices at the Goa meet, the agenda to call the shots at the macro level smacks of a short-sighted approach. An ambitious boy from a humble family, but today his invincibility seems to be his weakness.
The aura of Modi stemmed from his tough decisions and straight talk. However, today we need to contextualise Modi in a realm away from Gujarat. If the beginning of Modi is being dubbed as the end of the Vajpayee-Advani era, then one has to factor in as to whether Modi would be able to nurture consent amongst the varied nature of demands. If he cannot carry the entire team at the beginning, the remaining part of the story to come presents a bleak picture. This raises serious doubts and concerns as to whether the staunch Modi identity would be diluted in the process.
He may be the first amongst equals at the State level. One has to prevent oneself from committing the fallacy that what may be applicable at a particular place shall apply to the general at large. Today India is much more heterogeneous than ever before. Coalition bargaining is a tough game. Brand Modi is yet to face the test of time vis-à-vis other regional steadfasts like Nitish Kumar in Bihar, Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu, or match up to the likes of resolute allies like the Akali Dal in Punjab, Shiv Sena in Maharashtra to be the face of the government at the Centre. There are States like Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, the ones in the North-East where his aura of the urban rising Gujarat may not cut much ice owing to differences in customs, terrain amongst others.
In the limited way that one saw Modi as the face of the main Opposition party in India, one is unable to give him brownie points. He has been using a ‘pick-and-choose' approach which may not work now. For instance, at the time when the Uttar Pradesh State elections needed a leader, he did not campaign. In States like Himachal Pradesh where he was at the front, the party had to concede defeat. In the recent Gujarat Assembly elections also, there was an increase in the vote-percentage share for the Congress.
So, as the electoral battlelines are being drawn, let us sit back to explore the errors of judgement in this anointment.
Dr Amna Mirza is an Assistant Professor, University of Delhi.