Modi’s development-oriented speech

An attempt is being made by a group of BJP leaders that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi should be projected as party’s prime ministerial candidate in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. His speech at Delhi's prestigious college students is an exercise in this direction. After winning three assembly elections in a row and becoming chief minister of Gujarat for the third consecutive time, it is natural for any political leader of Naredra Modi’s stature and calibre to aspire to be projected as prime ministerial candidate in coming Lok Sabha elections. Modi’s development packed speech before the students of eminent college Sri Ram College of Commerce in national capital New Delhi is purely an exercise to build opinion in this direction. His speech has been profusely applauded by the packed auditorium with students. He has also shown his confidence in his speech before the students. But adopting double standard has been the chief characteristic of BJP. It is prepared to go back to its basic in 2014 on Hindutva plank on one side and construction of Ram Temple being on other as its main issue. Narendra Modi himself is known for hardline Hindutva view with taint of the infamous 2002 Gujarat riot. But here in national capital New Delhi, he has tried his best to sell his development ideas among the college students. Undoubtedly, India has suffered a lot due to vote bank politics by the political leaders across the political party. Naredra Modi has rightly said that India now wants development politics. His development work is praised all over the country and because of this the people of Gujarat has given him their mandate for the third time in a row. His tenure of chief ministership is also known for good governance. But as far his development and good governance are concerned, they are limited to Gujarat. The negative point in his personality to project him by BJP as the prime ministerial candidate is his alleged role in Gujarat riot. It is because of the polarization of voters on communal lines that took place in Gujarat under Modi's regime, and that led majority with him because he is seen with carrying forward the interest of the majority community first and all else later. The political leader irrespective of any political party can not be considered as the prime ministerial candidate by the people of India. India is a secular country. Wider acceptability among all sections, castes and communities is the primary qualification to be considered as the prime minister of India. Undoubtedly, Narendra Modi left an indelible imprint on the students of national capital New Delhi but at the same time he had also to face brickbats from thousand of students only because of his doubtful secular credibility. Otherwise, he is the fittest political leader to rule the nation with development plank uppermost in his mind.