CHICAGO: Gujarat has done it again, backing Narendra Modi unwaveringly and putting him again at the helm of affairs in the State. It is Gujarat’s New Year gift to the country.
The victory acquires significance in that it was achieved despite many political odds – the Congress was hell bent on toppling Modi and his party by all means at its command, the newly set up Gujarat Parivartan Party by former chief minister Keshubhai ran a caste based campaign, and certain elements denigrating Modi were fanning communal discord. The Gandhian Gujarat proved that truth should and does prevail all the time. It proved that the vilification campaign against a person if carried to the extreme can misfire and could prove counter productive.
As outlined by a front ranking community activist Dr Bharat Barai, the Gujarat results should be an eye opener for many other States in the Indian Union that there is no point in electing corrupt, dishonest and shortsighted politicians to the top if collectively we want to progress. He said that the near decade long vilification of Narendra Modi as a person too has not paid dividend. And but for splinter group of Keshubhai Patel, the Bharatiya Janata Party would have won ten more seats and some of its prominent leaders like Jainarayan Vyas would not have lost the elections. “Overall speaking Gujarat electorate has voted for stability and progress, and this should serve as a role model for others in the country.
Mafat Patel, often described as Uncrowned King of Devon, observed that he was happy at the Gujarat outcome but “things could have been better if the BJP had won a few seats more.” He said that Keshubhai proved a great distraction but Modi really did well by going to Keshubhai for blessings after winning elections. “Both should now work together for the welfare of Gujarat and for the people. Their reunion should augur well for 2012 Federal elections,” he said. There should not be any doubt now in anybody’s mind that Gujarat would take huge strides in economic and social developments, he added.
Anil Shah, CEO World Money Exchange, observed, that the electorate has given its verdict in favor of Modi who has carved out a stable and progressive government in Gujarat and has a proven record of good and honest leadership. The electorate has wisely decided to throw away disruptive and negative elements by not electing them. And that is a great victory for democracy and development, he said.
It is interesting to note that Narendra Modi got support from minority and backward community members too. There was steady propaganda against Modi after Godhra riots and sustained efforts were made to tarnish his image and get him distanced from minority community. Fortunately, the Gujarat electorate did not fall for this propaganda. If Keshubhai Patel, a former chief minister, had not formed a new party and had worked with Modi, the ruling BJP would have bagged a still more seats. But now that is past and Modi was magnanimous in going to seek Keshubhai’s blessings after election victory.
Dr Hemant Patel, former president of AAPI, said that Modi with three victories under his belt at the State level should now widen his horizon and seek playing a bigger role in national politics. “The way he has led Gujarat to a new height in economic and social development, he would be a welcome addition at the national level. One of the biggest problems facing the country is endemic corruption, and Narendra Modi has shown a way to handle it at the State level. Most Indians would welcome anybody addressing this issue effectively and to me, Modi is quite well suited to do it,” he observed.
Usha Kamaria, a woman community activist associated with Gandhi Memorial Trust in Skokie, observed that the Gujarat people have voted by overwhelming majority for stable and progressive government led by Narendra Modi and that is heartening.
She said the real test of Modi’s leadership starts now in that he has to live up to the rising expectations of not only Gujarati people but Indians across the country. His victory in Gujarat should also pave the way for his larger contribution to national development and politics. It would not surprise many if Modi gets national recognition sooner than later.
Pramod Bagai, one of the old time residents of Chicago hailing from North India and now leading a retired life, succinctly observed that Modi’s victory should be an eye opener not only for the opposition parties but also for intra- BJP elements who look less kindly to this leader.” I am of the firm belief that the BJP rank and file members should unitedly ask for electing Narendra Modi as the party leader for 2014 elections if BJP wants to put up a commendable show at the national level. Most right minded Indians would want Modi to lead the country as he has displayed strong leadership qualities and is admittedly an honest politician. If BJP fails to boost Modi, I am sure it will be the Congress and hotchpotch groups who would stand to gain. Most of us want Modi to lead India so that India gets her rightful place in the comity of nations,” he said.
Balwinder Singh, a prominent Indian Sikh leader, said that the victory of Modi should augur well for Gujarat and India as a whole. It is high time for the US State Department to reconsider its decision in denying US entry visa to Modi. He should now be welcome here as he has bagged sizeable minority votes. With all his good showing, it is still a far cry for him to the Indian PM. From CM to PM, it is still a bumpy road, he added
Vinesh Virani of Art of Living said that this is the third strike for Modi and that he should now put all his efforts harnessing positively all the communities – minority and majority – in building Gujarat strong. He was heartened to know that a sizeable number of Gujarat Muslims voted for Modi and his party, and that this should help stave of oft-repeated allegations that Modi is against any particular community. He felt that Modi should show his mettle in ensuring that the periodic investment meets in Gujarat do not degenerate into mere Tamasha as it is on the card that a large number of MoUs are just on the paper and little progress is reported in their implementation.
Harendra Mangrola of Gayatri Gyan Mandir said that Modi’s victory is a good development not only for Gujarat but for India as a whole. Good part is that even a large number of Muslims, as reported by Times of India, voted for him. He signifies progress and stability, and “I am sure that he will take Gujarat to a new height.” Mangrola added that BJP would have fared much better were it not for Gujarat Parivartan Party that former Gujarat CM had established a few months ago to combat so called “ills in the State of Gujarat”. He observed that Modi could be a real good choice for becoming Indian PM, and his chances would have been immensely bright if his party had won over 125 seats in State elections.
Naren Patel of Vishwa Gujarati Samaj said electing Modi and giving a majority to the BJP was the right choice that the people of Gujarat have made. They have the right man at the right time, and this should ensure steady progress of the State in the coming years. “We all expected Modi and BJP to win. The only difference is that we expected a bigger majority. The uncalled for opposition from Gujarat Parivartan Party had its impact but Modi did a fine job in going to seek Keshubhai’s blessing after his victory. That speaks volumes for this man,” Naren Patel said. It would be a great day if Modi goes to Delhi and leads the Indian government, he observed
Dr Ashok Jain of Detroit said that Gujarat had little option but to elect Modi as its leader and the head of the government as most others have poor or no credibility. After Sardar Patel, Narendra Modi has proved to be a real Iron Man. Others with less caliber or less will power would have crumbled against the onslaught of vilifying campaign run by the opposition. Gujarat is now assured of steady progress and good government, Jain said.
Sitaram Patel, a former president of the Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago, said that wherever Modi went the people of Gujarat called him “Lion of Gujarat” and he proved that he is a lion. His opponents inside the State and outside the State virtually got licked. Had it not been for Keshubhai Patel, a former BJP stalwart and former chief minister, whose only contribution was splitting of BJP votes by setting up a new party, Modi would have scored a still bigger victory. It is interesting to note that the minority community in Broach voted for Modi and secured him all the seats in area.”I am of the firm opinion that Modi is fit to lead not only Gujarat but the country. From CM to PM should not be a far cry as it is the consensus among Indian people,” he said.
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