Modi has been denied permission for one of the two rallies in Varanasi city, the BJP terming the move as “unprecedented” and “unheard of”. Modi was supposed to hold two rallies in the constituency but permission for one of the rallies has been not given. Looking at the way BJP and its supporters are reacting, one can say that we are waiting for disaster to happen. Modi as prime minister can bring such threats even in future. I wonder how this one rally can make difference to his life or fate in forthcoming elections which is due on May 12. Why they are making so much chaos over the issue? Moreover, Modi wave is overhyped by the media and paid campaigns. If his wave is everywhere then why he is doing so much drama? Is he wreaking somewhere or Kejriwal has really challenged his existence in Varanasi?
BJP did the roadshow, the highlight of its protests against the Election Commission, in scorching heat, party workers have been shouting slogans and protesting at the Lanka Gate outside the historic Banaras Hindu University, led by top leaders Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah, demanding the removal of Returning Officer Pranjal Yadav, who reportedly denied permission for Modi’s proposed rally at Benia Bagh in Varanasi. Permission for two other events – prayers on the banks of the Ganga and a meet with 150 citizens at a local hotel – was sanctioned. Last time, Modi visited Varanasi but he forgot to visit Ganga and pray there. Social media randomly attacked Modi’s arrogance for not praying to “Gangaji”. May be to avoid this or answer such attacks this time “Ganga Pooja” become his priority. Why so much show off?
Modi is scheduled to land by helicopter to address a rally on the outskirts of Varanasi before driving through the city to his party’s headquarters in a large roadshow which will be larger than any rally. Last month, a sea of saffron had surged in Varanasi as Modi took out a roadshow before filing his nomination papers. Irony is that the crowd which is seen in Modi’s rallies is almost same everywhere, hardly any local crowd engage in rallies. All are supporters from other states. All paid crowd!
His challenger, Arvind Kejriwal, retorted, “If you only want to do Ganga arti, you don’t need permission. You need EC’s permission for political activities.” Varanasi votes on May 12 on the final day of the staggered national election. Ajay Rai of the Congress is against Modi and Kejriwal. This issue is unnecessarily aggravated by BJP for their political mileage. Modi’s supporters playing dirty politics over ‘Maa Ganga’. I wonder what we have to go through to see Modi leading our nation. Words like integrity, humane and dignity are certainly not what the BJP or Modi seem to have in their dictionary. People don’t want to see such a party or a leader who thinks like a Hitler but want leaders like Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi, for leading the nation. Now, EC should take some action against Modi. He plays his communal card again in the name of Maa Ganga, when in day ten Modi is harping on his false Chaiwala claim and playing emotional card, then what option is left for Rahul? Now, media wants to convey that BJP is free to say whatever they want to.
Except for some lame talk on Gujarat model, Modi has failed in every speech he has given about development. The only thing which he has successfully done is to get a feeling that he is the lesser evil than electing Congress for another 5 years which will eventually end poverty in India because all will be dead. His whole campaign stinks with double speak and contradictions. What is the use of distancing himself from his true roots, when there is always the second in command like Amit Shah who spews enough vitriol on a daily basis? At the heart of it, Modi is no better than Amit Shah, products of the same system. Modi has always called Kejriwal as a “bhagoda” because he refused to continue in power when he could not pass the Jan Lokpal Bill. However, many of us remember the real “bhagoda” which is Modi who ran away from Karan Thapar’s interview when he was posed a question regarding the 2002 riots. Would they still call him that if he wrote something in support of Modi?
Religion and caste are the reality of India. Every political party takes mileage of caste and religious groups. In our democracy, pressure groups are made on the basis of caste and religion. On one hand, brand Modi is developed intentionally to confuse legal and official machinery, while on the other hand to take on the UPA and family generated corruption. In fact, this is three pronged strategy- Modi cries for country and development, BJP fills in the blanks and rest will be done by other forces. This election is an absolute eye opener about the problems of liberal democracy in a backward society. It is an eye opener about what the valorisation of ‘greed and animal spirits’ can do to the aspirations of people at large.
Please think before voting.
