Modi's image make-over attempt

The verdict of Supreme Court in a Gujarat riots case has been termed by BJP as clean chit to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Chief Minister. Reacting to SC verdict, Modi tweets,'God is great’. This amply reflects that he has felt relieved by the verdict.
However, the SC has only sent back the case to trial court of the magistrate concerned. It did not give either clean chit or indictment to any party involved in the case. It has followed the due process of law. Now, CM Narendra Modi and the BJP have launched a propaganda campaign, describing the verdict as clean chit to them.
The Sadbhavana Mission under which CM Modi has undertaken 3-day fast from Sept 17 for peace, unity and communal harmony at Gujarat University Convention Centre with pomp and show. The day also coincides with his 62nd birth day. As the SC verdict being interpreted by BJP as clean chit to Modi, the way has also opened for him to stake his claim of national leadership. Whether the BJP accepts it or not, one more formidable party candidate for the post of Prime Minister in Narendra Modi is certain.
Though the party is itself grapples with the claims for the top leadership among the second generation party leaders, Modi’s Sadbhavana Mission clearly reflects his inner desire for the post of PM. Because Modi knows well that unless and untill he establishes as liberal leader, he can not compete for prime ministerial candidate in secular India.
Undoubtedly, Narendra Modi is one of the tallest leaders of BJP and no other leader from the second generation of the party matches his charisma, though it is confined to the state of Gujarat only.
Undertaking fast for self purification or fulfillment of demand or for peace and harmony is a good idea. No body should have any objection to it. Congress leader from Gujarat Shankar Singh Vaghela and Modhvadia have also started fast to counter Narendra Modi politically. Congress terms Modi’s fast as Five Star and Gimmicry. Vaghela and Modbhadia has sat on fast before Shabamati Ashram at a footpath. It is foregone conclusion that competitive politics is bound to take place between BJP and Congress.
As far as Modi’s fast is concerned, there is no need to undertake it at the cost of public exchequer running into crores of rupees and in a pompous way to send the message of unity, peace and communal harmony after 9 years of the worst communal riots of Gujarat. He could observe fast from his residence and that could reflect more sincerity and commitment to the cause for which he has undertaken it. His fast at GU Convention Centre only attracts publicity and incurs crores of rupees on state exchequer.
No doubt, Gujarat CM Narendra Modi has got a shot in his arm politically after SC verdict to establish himself in Delhi as the candidate for Prime Minister as and when situation arises. In his address to the audience at the venue of his fast, he said, ‘the pain of any body in the state is his pain’. It is a grand idea but it has descended on him very late when damage already done to his image. He has given a good message of fostering peace and communal harmony but this high grandstanding has come to his mind after 9 years of the dance of drama that was enacted in the state of Gujarat under his Chief Ministership. It is nothing but his prime ministerial ambition, which has inspired him to undertake Sadbhavana Mission.