Ahmedabad, 21 September 2012

Modi, Modhwadia, Manmohan Singh and Mobile Modes

Let me share a humorous one liner by Chief Minister Narendra Modi. In a function Modi gets up to address an assembly. The technician adjusts the mike and then leaves. Modi takes a glance at the people present in the assembly. Just then, someone’s mobile phone starts ringing. What does Modi say? Modi says what no one else but Modi can say. He says, “Whoever has kept their mobile phones on Modhwadia mode, please turn it on to Manmohan Singh mode.” The assembly bursts into laughter. I often write that between Chief Minister Modi and Politician Modi, the Common Man loves politician Modi more when it comes to oratory. Modi has stated in an interview that he talks about politics only when elections comes.

Human Chains, Indira, and Modi

This Thursday, I met a BJP MLA during a Ganesh Sthapan ceremony at a common friend’s place. The MLA had joined Modi in the Vivekananda Yatra in Bharuch district recently. He narrated that there was a huge gathering throughout on the route to welcome the beloved Chief Minister. It seemed almost like a long human chain. Both sides of the road were jam-packed by people willing to have just one glance of Modi. The people residing in small houses and villages were equally enthusiastic about Modi’s arrival. I remarked that this reminds me of Indira Gandhi. People showered the same love on her, too. The MLA said yes and also added that generally in such campaigns, party workers have to work hard to gather the crowd, but Modi sir’s charm is such that the crowd rushes to see him without any such tactics.

Randomly Sabarkantha

When touring outside the city, I have got into a habit of asking for each and everyone’s political opinion. Recently while heading to Shamlaji, I stopped by stalls of people selling corns. I bought corn from one of the poor scheduled caste sellers and asked him what his political opinion was. He simply said that Congress is the past now. BJP is the only powerful entity here. The corn seller further said that the main problem of his village was potholed roads which were further washed away by rain. He also appreciated that Modi has done a lot for the state. He hardly had any information about local politicians but he voted for the ones who donated huge amounts in the temple or gave him money. I further interrogated, “Whom will you vote if both Congress and BJP give you money to vote for them?” The corn seller was now dumbstruck. This corn seller was praising Modi a lot. He was especially happy with the canal work going on nearby his village. I observed that though the seller was illiterate, his political knowledge was fairly good. We moved ahead. We again stopped by a Fruit seller near Himmatnagar and triggered the discussion by saying that we are coming from Mumbai so we had no idea about the political scenario of Himmatnagar. Fruit seller was also an avid Modi fan. When I asked, “what about Congress?” he quickly replied, “yeah, they perform well in Modasa but everywhere else, it is all BJP.”

I believe that the voice of the common man is the voice of God. Actually we were searching for a Congress supporter to know the views of Congress supporters in Gujarat. Alas! We did not meet even a single Congress supporter on our way to Shamlaji and even while returning back. Let me clarify, this was not a scientific survey. I just met random people and asked for their opinions.

Victimization fine, but Solanki has little chance of legal escape

There is no doubt that the case against the Minister of Ports and Fisheries, Purushottam Solanki has political grounds. But here is the proof why the government is technically guilty in this case. Look at this document from the website of the Fisheries department of Government of Gujarat. Go straight to the fourth page of the draft and read what is written under the title of “Jalshaya ijara niti” meaning monopoly over lakes and ponds. The last point clearly indicates the government’s policy to establish their monopoly by mentioning the possibility of competitive tenders. Now under this rule without tender, if any group or person has taken up a pond or land on domination even for noble purpose, it will be considered illegal.

We must consider that Solanki is being targeted by main applicant Ishaq Maradia and his lawyer Mukul Sinha who is running a leftist secularist NGO, their supporters Congress leaders and even Governor of Gujarat who was once a Congress leader. We must also consider that Solanki is being targeted because he is a Koli leader and election is not so far away. But the main problem is that Solanki has neglected the policies of GOG regarding domination of water bodies on paper and this leaves no legal window open for him to escape. Well, keep searching for the scapegoat for the gaffe.

Modhwadia is working hard, there’s no doubt about it

Arjun Modhwadia is working hard. Yesterday I received information regarding his packed schedule for the next few days. Today morning, Modhwadia will attend political assemblies at Nalia and Bhuj. Tomorrow he will remain present at Marketing Yard at Lakhani in Banaskantha district. The same day he will also attend gathering organized at Dhanera, a village belonging to the same district. On Sunday, he will be busy attending meetings in Vadhavan, Surendranagar district. Then he will straightaway leave for Maldhari assembly on Gandhinagar- Koba road based Preksha Bharti campus. He will pay a visit to Porbandar on Monday and Bhatia in Jamnagar district on Tuesday. After that, he will visit the South Jamnagar seat area. Whatever the result may be, but Congress undoubtedly is working hard to win the elections this time.

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