Biography of Narendra Modi: A Political Phenomenon Essay

Narendra Damodardas Modi, popularly known as Narendra Modi is the current Chief see of the state of Gujarat and the BJPs Prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general alternatives. He was selected by L.K Advani, the leader of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in 2001 to give a direction to the alternative campaign in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Mr. Modi was elected as Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7th, 2001 and is the yenest serving Chief Minister of the state. In the 2012 Gujarat legislative assembly election he won his fourth constituency term as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.A career that started as an errand predominatener for the RSS (Hindu Right wing group) is now by chance on the way to reaching its zenith. Yes, Mr. Narendra Damodardas Modi has walked quite a distance wearing unflinching confidence on his sleeves. The Gujarat Chief Minister and BJPs Prime Ministerial candidate is a fascinating case study as the man opens up equal number of avenues for his critics as well as admirers. The man is admire for his economic policies and growth scenario in Gujarat, but he also bears flak for the dismal state of the Human Development Index in Gujarat. As the pendulum of the finding of situation sways to and fro for him, lets have a deeper look into Narendra Modis biography.Humble BeginningsThe idea of struggle was never very distant for Modi. He used to run a tea stall till the time RSS inducted him as a full-time member. With whatever minimal training he received from the fellowships associates, he surged ahead and exhibited enough capability to be given the charge of the ABVP (the pupil wing of RSS). His diligence and dedication towards the party hardly ebbed despite the fact that he was simultaneously pursuing a Masters degree in Political Science. This average student from Vadnagar tutored himself to take greater steps on a issue level.FamilyAlthough there isnt enough about Modis personal life in the public domain,the political discourse s ometimes throws up bits of facts and stories. He was born into a middle class family of six in Vadnagar in Mehsana District (then Bombay state) to Damodardas Mulchand Modi and Heeradben Modi. He was bethrothed when quite young, but chose to walk away from the unification and has remained a bachelor.Early days in PoliticsNarendra Modi was drawn to politics in his early teens and was a member of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). During the 1960s India-Pakistan war, even though he was only a young boy, he volunteered to serve soldiers traveling through railway stations. As a youth, he became a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a student body involved in anti- putrefaction. After having worked full time with them, he was then nominated as its representative in the BJP. Modi was also a prospect in the RSS during his years in college and took on the task of encouraging the party members. Partnering with Shankersingh Vaghela, Modi began a strong cadre base in Gujarat. Na rendra Modi has come from a minuscule background and is known for his simple lifestyle. He has a reputation of universe a workaholic and intr all overt. Mr. Modi has tried to change his check from that of a Hindu Nationalist politico to that of a sincere administrator.The party began getting political attention and formed a coalition government in April 1990. After this, the BJP came to power in Gujarat in 1995. During this period, Modi was responsible for the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra and a similar trek from Kanyakumari in Southern India all the way up to Kashmir in the north.A careful observation of his rise to the national podium would evince how he remained glued to his fundamentals continuing agitations during the nationwide Emergency, organizing Murli Manohar Joshis Ekta yatra (journey for unity), and impressing every mavin with electoral strategy ahead of the 1995 state elections. As BJP tasted victory, Modi relished his newly ordain post of the partys General Secret ary. The workaholic and loyal sevak moved to New Delhi to take up the new responsibility of managing thepartys activities in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. iii summers whizzed past and Modi already had the post of National Secretary of the BJP under his kitty.First Stint as Chief Minister of GujaratTimes were turbulent in Gujarat with allegations of corruption and poor governance doing the rounds. After Shankarsingh Vaghela left the BJP, Keshubhai Patel was made Chief Minister of Gujarat and Modi became General Secretary of the party in Delhi. Weak handling of the effects of the Bhuj earthquake in 2001 prompted the BJPs national leading to seek a new candidate as chief minister, after the removal of Keshubhai Patel. In October 2001, Modi was brought in to replete the vacuum and made Chief Minister of Gujarat despite his lack of experience in governance. Initially, the BJP was not very keen on having him at the forefront and the party was contemplating the position of deputy CM fo r him, which he refused. He wrote to Advani, and the then Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, stating that he was either going to be fully responsible for Gujarat or not at all. In July 2007, he became the longest-serving Chief Minister in Gujarats political history.In the Gujarat legislative assembly elections of 2012, Narendra Modi won the constituency of Maninagar over the Indian National Congress, with a majority of 86,373 votes. The BJP won 115 out of the 182 seats and formed its government in Gujarat. This was Narendra Modis fourth term as the Chief Minister. The following year in March, he was appointed as member to the BJP Parliamentary Board which is the highest decision-making body of the party. He was also nominated as a member of the partys Central Election Committee.Taking Tough CallsHis rift with the VHP started to show after his much-criticized decision of demolishing 200 unlawful temples in Gandhinagar. This was just the trailer. Modi was also vocal about PM Ma nmohan Singhs reluctance to revive anti-terror laws. He called for invoking tougher laws in states followingthe 2006 Mumbai blasts. Time and again, he has judiciously chosen issues to pontificate and attack the central government. In the wake of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, Modi brought up the issue of security along Gujarats coast. The UPA government acted upon this immediately and sanctioned gimmick of 30 high-speed surveillance boats. Recently, he came down heavily on the Central government for its weak approach towards Chinese incursions in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh and infiltration by Bangladeshis on the Indo-Bangladesh border.Criticisms The Modi government came under bitter criticism following the 2002 Gujarat riots that betrayed the prevailing communal harmony within the state. Investigations were ordered into alleged abetment of crime. Modis image suffered a quake as a common consensus was established that pointed fingers at the chief minister for allowing communal violence in the state. Some demanded his prosecution for promoting ill will among different communities during the riots. His way of functioning has also been the topic of much debate in the political arena with commentators and subject-matter experts lambasting him for carrying the DNA of fascist leadership. His critics call him a self-centered autocrat who doesnt care a hoot about the BJP. The Gujarat chief minister finds himself in the bad books of analysts as he is also accused of distortion facts to suit political motives on more than one occasion.In June 2013, when Narendra Modis was appointed as the chairman of the national campaign committee, L K Advani submitted his fall escalating his objection against Modis appointment. But the BJP leadership remained rigid on its choice to put Modi in front of 2014 campaign.A self-made manBesides existence a revered orator and a prolific writer, he is also a caring son and a man with his brand of humour. Those who have associated wit h him for long are of the opinion that the idea of power is exciting to him. Next time you wonder how he could garner so much of national attention, think of this. He underwent a rigorous training in the US on public relations and imagemanagement.When it comes to taking lessons on brand building, Modi says theres no greater inspiration than Mahatma Gandhi. His eulogies about Gandhi come from the fact that He spoke of Ahimsa but carried a stick. He never wore a cap but the creative activity wears a Gandhi Topi. Modis careful metamorphosis from a Hindutva party man to a pro-development leader and change maker speaks volumes for his image-building ability. His 2-year long escapade into the Himalayas and co-mingling with the yogic sadhus gave him a fair understanding of Hinduism. That partly explains why people listen to him in rapt attention when he talks of ideologies.Face of Development Favorite among the leaders of India Inc.Modi frequently refers to his P2G2 (Pro-people good gove rnance) formula to substantiate his claims on holistic development. Some observers are of the opinion that Gujarat has been able to improve its agricultural output despite being a semi-arid state. The credit is given to the Gujarat governments measures to scale up groundwater projects and initiatives to increase the use of micro-irrigation.India Inc. is almost unanimous in their verdict. They want Narendra Modi as the future(a) PM. Reason? They seek a strong leadership that has a clear roadmap and actionable plans ready for execution. Indian business leaders from Ratan Tata to Mukesh Ambani seem to be convinced that for India to come out of its Gross Domestic Paralysis, a visionary and decisive leadership is essential. Empirical evidence suggests that Gujarat has been able to position itself as a lucrative destination for investment. Under his aegis, according to a political commentator, the level of corruption receded and technology parks have seen the light of the day. His iconic call for borderline Government and Maximum Governance has frequently struck the chord with the masses.With so many brand images of Narendra Modi existing in a juxtaposed manner, it is to be seen which one suits his greater agenda and helps him in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.