Nowadays, BJP leaders are issuing irrational statements which is damaging Narendra Modi’s image to a great extent. Finally, Modi condemned contagious anti-Muslim remarks by one-time associate Pravin Togadia, but his party finds itself entangled in a new episode of hate remarks. Modi urged his people not to issue any irresponsible statements. He did not condemn anyone or state that he disagrees with the statements of Pravin and others. Again, one can misinterpret his statement as “Don’t say anything that can ruin the election for us”. Modi is hand in glove with such people, only difference is that he does not talk or agree to his acts of extremism. If Modi has changed, or is changing, it is good for the country. But people still have doubts whether he would sacrifice his vote bank for good.
Unfortunately, in this country development alone will not turn into votes. This we have seen in the case of Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004 general election. Other factors also required for winning. Modi speaks about development whereas Amit Shah tries for other amalgamations. If development is the prime concerned then Amit Shah might be not there in UP. Similar non-developmental aspects for consolidation of votes is done by others like SP, BSP, Akalis, Shiv Sena, DMK/AIADMK etc., and they have succeeded in their efforts. Were you influenced by the speech of Shiv Sena’s Ramdas Kadam who spoke out against Muslims in a rally at which both Modi and Uddhav Thackeray were present, but did not intervene to stop Kadam? Shiv Sena is known for its anti-Muslim stand. However, in a Modi rally at BKC, Uddhav and Modi spoke in favour of Muslims but that was just a lip service. At a rally in Mumbai, just a few minutes before Modi arrived, a leader from the Shiv Sena said to the large crowd, “Narendra Modi will destroy Pakistan within six months if he comes to power.” The remarks by Ramdas Kadam are the latest in a series of comments by hardliners that are threatening to over-shadow the election. Kadam’s party, the Shiv Sena, is the oldest ally of the BJP, which has declared Modi as its prime ministerial candidate. After Modi arrived at the venue with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Kadam continued in Marathi, “If five lakh Muslims can gather at the Azad Maidan, desecrate memorials, attack policemen and molest policewomen… Narendra Modi will surely teach them a lesson. The question here is that, what lesson Modi will going to teach? Are they indicating that they will repeat Gujarat? If Modi is seeking power to teach lesson to Muslims by burning them or eliminating them, then this would be too dangerous for democracy. Kadam, seemed to be searching for an exit route from the controversy. He said, “I said Modi would teach a lesson to Pakistan, not destroy Pakistan.” Now, again someone would like to know, how will Modi teach a lesson to Pakistan?
Modi tweeted, “Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP’s well-wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development and good governance (sic).” His reprimand is being seen as a reaction to PravinTogadia, a leader of the right-wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad, who faces a police investigation after a video, appeared to show him urging Hindus to evict Muslims from their neighborhoods in Gujarat. Modi disapproved of “petty statements by those claiming to be BJP’s well-wishers,” without naming Pravin Togadia and Giriraj Singh, whose controversial remarks have embarrassed the BJP in the middle of the national election. The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate has not mention names but this was his first response to a massive controversy over alleged hate remarks by Pravin Togadia.
In Gujarat’s Bhavnagar, Togadia was seen on camera telling a gathering how to prevent Muslims from buying property in areas where Hindus are in majority. “We should have it in us to take the law in our own hands in an area where we are a majority and scare them. Modi, who has ruled Gujarat since 2001, is seen to share a fractious relationship with Mr Togadia, his one-time comrade in arms. The two leaders, who rode together to meetings in the 1980s, reportedly fell out after Modi’s second term as chief minister, when he started distancing himself from a radical Hindu agenda.
On the other hand, Modi deserves to be the PM of India by taking his stand on development. Such a calibre leader is the need of the hour. A sincere leader can only stop the factionalism and threat from within country by both majority and minority communal elements and vested interests. One find it difficult to understand but it is the reality. His campaign has so far talked about taking India in a new economic direction with “minimum government, maximum governance”. He has talked about making India a rich and prosperous country by creating jobs for the youth and investing in education and healthcare. Making a direct appeal to young voters, Modi appealed youngsters to not only vote but also come out to campaign for a strong government in Delhi. I hope Modi’s hardcore efforts would be respected by other BJP leaders and some justice will be delivered at the end.
