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Why Is Narendra Modi So Popular
Why Is Narendra Modi So Popular
Narendra Modi has always had a polarizing effect on Indian population and politics as a whole. He is regarded as a not-so-legible administrator by some, and a messiah by the others. Within the BJP, the party for whom he will contest the 2014 elections as the prime ministerial candidate, his promotion was opposed by Lal Krishna Advani, who himself had wanted the role for himself. Modis role in the 2002 Godhra riots cannot be forgotten; at the same time, the progress that Gujarat achieved during his time is too spectacular to ignore. Rarely has an Indian politician commanded opinions so diverse about him. Let us look at some of the prominent aspects of the life and personality of Modi.
Transparency
The first thing about Modi is that he is fairly transparent and this is something that even his detractors will agree on. He is someone who speaks the way he sees things, a rare quality among politicians, who measure every word and opinion. Modi is perhaps the most hated chief minister in the country, but at the same time his achievements evoke a sense of awe even among ones who dont want to acknowledge it.
Nationalistic fervor
Narendra Modi has always been a patriotic Indian right from his childhood. It is said that when India fought Pakistan in 1965 he offered to serve soldiers who were moving between railway stations. At that time he was only 15-year-old. Two years later he helped the people who had been affected by floods in Gujarat. This patriotic fervor is also one of the reasons why he has been popular.
Literary credentials
Modi is a well-known and prolific poet as well as author. He primarily writes in Gujarati, and his most preferred topics are the teachings of icons of Hindutva as well as life in general. He is a major fan of Swami Vivekananda this may have endeared him to both staunch Hindus as well as people who like the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramhamsas most well-known student.
Conclusion
It is hard to say whether Narendra Modi will ever become the prime minister of India but what I can say with a certain degree of certainty is that he will never hesitate to take steps that he thinks are necessary for the development of the region under him it could be the country or the state of Gujarat. However, the fact that Gujarat has progressed so much bears testimony to the success of his methods. Many think that he is a Machiavellian leader, including yours truly, and in this age of inclusive propaganda and growth, his methods of excluding certain sections of the populace may not go well with others. Such methods are normally equated to dictatorship, and one fears that it may set the country back in some regard that he may not be aware of right now. These apprehensions about him could also make their way to the polling booth and be reflected in the results. Modi needs to keep in mind that he has to be a secular leader in order to stand a better chance of winning and for the country as a whole to truly progress. He will need to make sure that he displeases as few people as possible with his decisions. Question is, how far will he be able to abandon his ideals for the sake of it? He also needs to be a little diplomatic with his foreign policy opinions and understand that appeasement and discussion, and not direct opposition, are the ways to go.