Modi needs a Vajpayee.
Commentators, including Ashutosh Varshney (IE.25/12), have missed the significance of Modi's win in Gujarat. Growth of Indian economy and the expansion of the middle class that happened after the liberalisation has whetted the appetite for more opportunities in the country. There is an escalation of aspiration especially among the young. They do not want freebees; they want opportunities to reach their aspiration. That is what Modi has provided in Gujarat. He invited industries. He provided power, industrial peace, road infrastructure, law and order, a non-rent seeking bureaucracy and the political class. This is what Shekhar Gupta says (IE,18/12). Modi has changed the discourse of politics from identity politics ( both religious and regional) and freebees to development politics. Good governance in Gujarat has covered Muslims as well. It is reported that almost 25 percent of Muslims have voted for Modi which is as much as for Nitish Kumar. However, surprisingly, rather not so surprisingly, the commentators have still not changed the discourse. No doubt, his candidature for the top post in Delhi is likely to galvanise Indian politics. It is the commentators who need Vajpayee's wisdom which was expressed by him in a few words, 'country is more important than ideology'.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/modi-needs-a-vajpayee/1049766/
December 26,2012
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