Narendra Modi

 

 

For a while, it did appear as if the man is a modern day and infintely inferior version of Abhimanyu of Mahabharata, the tragic hero against whom virtually the entire who’s who of the Kaurava army was ganged up. His array of opponents were formidable indeed. There was the BJP, the Congress, Keshubhai Patel, Pravin Togadia and the VHP, the RSS and the Saangh, sulking rebels of all sorts, Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, the Left and the secular and mainstream media establishment were all working in tandem to defeat the man. Yet, in a Houdini like act, Narendra Modi not only escaped from their clutches, but also delivered a stunning blow by ensuring that the BJP wins a thumping majority in the assembly elections. No more doubts about it: you either hate the man or love him and the voters in Gujarat have decided. This will surely lead to tectonic changes in the power equations within the BJP; just as it will in the political idiom and discourse in India. Are you ready to witness the face off between the gladiators - Mayawati and Modi - as the contenders for the top job in 2009?

New Year Resolution: I will give an Iftaar party in 2008 and invite Sonia Ben as the Chief Guest.