(5 votes, average: 3.80 out of 5)
In the late 80s and early 90s Narendra Modi was virtually unknown. He fought very hard to accomplish the tasks given to him by the Senior Leaders of BJP. Towards the later part of the decade, we saw a belligerent Modi moving closer to his political ambition of becoming the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
In 2001, Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat, got promoted to the office at a time his predecessor Kesubhai Patel lost the by-elections. In July 2007, he became the longest serving Chief Minister. Later the same year, he was re-elected for the third consecutive term as the CM.
In 2001, just when he took office Modi was given the task of rebuilding Gujarat. This was in the wake of the biggest natural calamity India had seen – The Gujarat Earthquake which killed nearly 20000 people and another 170000 injured. Modi was a man on a mission
In 2002, he faced the biggest test of his life – There was a communal riot in which Hindus and Muslims killed each other following a Godhra train incident. The riot killed nearly 2000 people and about 150000 were displaced. The entire nation was pitted against him and some even went to the extent of terming the Godhra incident as an attempted genocide, a largescale massacre.
Modi did not sit quiet. What followed was a successful stint – one after the other. In his first term as the Gujarat Chief Minister, the economic growth touched 10%. In 2007, the growth touched a stunning 11.5% reducing the fiscal deficit of the state economy by a stunning 50%.
Other noticeable achievements included infrastructural developments, electrifying rural Gujarat, the Narmada success story etc.
Narendra Modi’s leadership and his extraordinary capabilities made him the darling of media. And soon a brand called Moditva emerged. Modi translated excessive criticisms and a burgeoning popularity into mass votes which made gave him a landslide victory in his third time.
Advani once said about Modi
A leader who, after being subjected to a malicious and prolonged campaign of vilification, has been able to impress even his critics with his determination, single-minded focus, integrity and a wide array of achievements in a relatively short time.
The year 2008 saw Modi take a complete u-turn with industrialists and politicians alike yearning for a piece of the pie in the Gujarat success story. Budha’s pain was Modi’s gain. Under the leadership of Modi, Gujarat opened the doors for Tata and Sanand became the Nanoland.
Modi did not stop there. He continues to woo Bangalore based IT and BPO companies to set up their units in Modiland.
If this was not enough, Modi surprised all his critics as late as last week. He embarked on a demolition drive of “illegally built temples” in Gujarat including that of a Sai Baba and a Hanuman shrine. Facing the axe are another 161 illegally constructed temples.
Modi invited widespread criticisms for his actions especially from VHP – the erstwhile ideological partner of the BJP. In fact Ashok Singhal, of the VHP compared his government to that of Aurangazeb’s. Modi loyalists however argued that he was painting a picture of a Nationally acceptable, Secular Leader
Read the words once again – “Nationally Acceptable, Secular Leader.” Wow !!!
That made me think a dozen times before I wrote this article.
Is Narendra Modi really trying to lead by example ? Your comments please…
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November 23rd, 2008 at 5:13 am
What Kandamangalam has written about is correct and factual. Gujarat is growing at an unprecedented level.
But he cannot wish away the ghosts of Godhra riots. He is venomous and ruthless with his detractors. He is not a unifier of people. He is ambitious and he is mean. He is vying for the national stage. From the look of things, he could soon reach there.
Hitler was also very efficient and the growth seen during his time at the helm was simply phenomenal.
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November 24th, 2008 at 1:46 am
I dont agree with babus thoughts on this matter….I dont care whether we get a hitler or a mussolini…as long as they get growth prosperity for India. All the jokers till date have done nothing except pleasing minority, majority, muslims, maharashtrians, eunuchs (if they get a vote there!)! Do you want an India which is highly secular (which i doubt will ever be the case) or a progressive India? Being secular, being communist being in the ‘middle’ of everything and hardly getting to a conclusion on things will always be Indias downfall. So I would say GO GUJARAT ROCK ON! And ofcourse my favorite topic….appeasement of SC/STs and so on for what? for votes…while the educated fight for a piece of a piece of land to call their own!
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November 25th, 2008 at 12:23 am
As most managers will tell you, management (or governance) involves different styles. Not all managers succeed doing everything. As an example, some people are good at firefighting while others are good at pace-setting.
I am not a pro-Modi thinker, but I believe that inability of an individual to resolve one problem (Godhra riots) does not necessarily indicate that the person is failure on all aspects.
His return to CM’s post indicates that people have recognized that despite his failures, he has been successful giving what people most wanted. During Modi’s tenure, hindus and muslims were give equal opportunity to prosper. Government schemes covered the populace equally well. Education, electrification, water, roads/infrastructure, better incomes etc will anyday win more votes than caste or religion based politics.
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November 25th, 2008 at 1:59 am
Thank you for your comments, gentlemen!
Here is my take on this issue….
Babu & Big Beef
While I agree that what Modi has achieved is no mean achievement, his stubborness to overtake the system has not gone well with his critics. You can continue to achieve glory while doing the right thing. I lived in Hyderabad for several years and I know what Chandrababu Naidu has done for our city, our state. As long as he was in power, AP continued to be in the top 2 states in India with respect to growth, only next to Bangalore. He achieved this without compromising on his ethics or making a big drama out of it. YSR tried to follow suit but he could not beat the heat.
Narendra Modi is probably an instinctive, emotional, aggressive, single minded leader. Agreed Gujarat developed – but at the cost of what- A few thousand lives. Yeah right – Just a few thousand lives. Talk such thing in America and you’ll know what I am talking about.
We need aggressive leaders but not someone who will sacrifice human lives for the sake of growth. How inhumane is that ?
Abhilash
I agree with you on the first part where you talked about management fundas. But quite disagree with the other part and here is my reasoning
If you think Godhra was all about resolving problems, then you are sadly mistaken. Godhra was an alleged massacre, a genocide ! Calling it an ordinary management problem would be to insult the many lives that have been lost in that incident. I’d rather have a peaceful Chief Minister who will run my state with less violence, less religious fanaticism etc.
I dont know if Modi is directly responsible for the Godhra incident. If yes, then he needs to be out of that seat. If not, even then he should put himself to shame for not having found the culprits yet – despite half a decade of sorrow.
His return to power, doesnt prove me anything….Yes, I mean anything. Why would you NOT think that the entire election was rigged or horsetraded and kept under the wraps. If someone like Modi can instigate a Godhra, he can do anything to be in power.
I am not saying he has done so. Don’t get me wrong ! I certainly agree that Gujarat has seen huge growth under him. He has proved that growth can be achieved despite all odds. Yet, given an opportunity I will NOT vote for him – because I don’t want a “BLOODY” state!
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December 2nd, 2008 at 2:23 am
Abhilash, please look around, there is more blood in the hands of people like Raj Thakrey, Shivraj Patiel (due to inaction, and Commies of West Bengal than Modi.
Gujarat has been the most rapidly advancing state in the country and the living standard is the people i sthe highest. Please tell me where is the blood now.
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December 6th, 2008 at 2:38 am
A “leader” who is guilty of genocide and whom even the USA considers as a pariah should be confined to the dustbin of history.
Its unworhty of the educated populace to try to find virtue in such a butcher.
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December 6th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Guys,
It too easy to overlook someone’s accomplishment by merely talking about their past. What about all the people died in riots before godhra in Gujarat or In India?
Remember Modi himself is from a Minority…if you are from India and if you know what caste systems is all about you will sure know what I am talking abt.
People from Majority casts such as Patels are more are behind Modi’s back big time and couldn’t do anything because people of Gujarat know who they want.
So my friend everybody has past, Modi has overcome that and proved himself 100 times more then any other politicians…
US my friend is leading by great examples, have you checked the latest toll and fatalities in IRAK or per say in AFGAHN?? It’s embarrassing that people compare oranges with Apples..
Our country has suffered many shocks of communal riots and I feel proud that at the end we have overcome such things and become stronger.
Check the statistics India has developed by 6-8 % in last 5 years whereas Gujarat has grown by 14-16. Gujarat has seen dramatic reductions in politician and government corruptions as well. It doesn’t happen by itself the credit goes to leadership.
Modi is a great example of leadership followed by one of the smartest community so no doubt that he is a truly successful leader by all mean.
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June 5th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
If sardar living today, cong may call him -”The brutal minority killer”- for his actions in state like AP. This is a change of attitude happend in cong politics.Today cong trying make a slave culture.I think it is not good for any country. I’m sure Modi is the only politician with vision and power in todays India.He may make a positive attitude in people. After all India needs a modi like leader.
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