Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Shouldn’t he be on trial in Hague for crimes against humanity?

Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India | World | DAWN.COM

NEW DELHI: Controversial Indian politician Narendra Modi, tipped as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate in the 2014 general election, was elevated to a key post in his party on Sunday.

Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointed Modi as a member of the parliamentary board, a key decision-making body in the Hindu nationalist party which has been plagued by internal squabbles.

“Narendra Modi is a versatile leader and we are happy that he has been chosen to play a key role in the upcoming elections,” said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP vice president.

“Modi is very popular; people across the country admire his leadership skills.” Last year Modi secured a fourth successive term as chief minister of the western state of Gujarat. Since then he has been widely seen as pushing to lead the party into the national polls.
But the 62-year-old remains a highly divisive figure nationally after being at the helm in Gujarat during bloody religious riots in 2002.

Some 2,000 people mainly Muslims were killed during the month-long unrest, according to rights groups. One of Modi’s former ministers was jailed for life for instigating the killings but several investigations have cleared Modi of personal responsibility.

Political analysts said Modi’s elevation Sunday was a sign that he has won the support of his party and various Hindu organisations to lead the charge against the Congress-led ruling coalition in the general election.

The embattled Congress and the BJP are poised to go head-to-head in the polls but have yet to name their candidates for premier.

Observers have been predicting a showdown between Modi and Rahul Gandhi, the 42-year-old scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.

Gandhi, whose father, grandmother and great-grandfather have all served as prime minister is widely expected to lead Congress into the polls after being elevated to the post of party vice-president earlier this year.

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

This is why the Right Wing everywhere should be put on notice. The Progressives probably are 20% of any population. The Right Wing 20%. Those " MODERATES" in the middle? The remaining 60%. They should show some backbone.

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

AHMEDABAD: Chief minister Narendra Modi’s supporters may feel that he has served Gujarat enough and now wants to repay the debt to ‘Bharat Mata’, but Gujarat’s actual debt has mounted from Rs 45,301 crore in 2001-02, when he first came to power, and is projected totouch Rs 1.76 lakh crore by 2013-14, when he plans his flight to New Delhi.

As on 31-03-12, the revised estimates of total debt stood at Rs 1,38,978 crore. While two other states - West Bengal (Rs 1,92,100 crore) and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 1,58,400 crore) - have a higher debt, they aren’t claiming they are a “model state”. Besides, if Modi leaves for Delhi after “settling his debt” with Gujarat, he is leaving behind the highest ever per capita debt of Rs 23,163 - if the population is taken at exactly six crore.

The Gujarat government is paying a mind-boggling interest of Rs. 34.50 crore every day. By 2015-16, the debt would mount to Rs 2,07,695 crore as per the state government’s budget estimates. A large chunk of the state’s revenues go towards debt servicing. The state’s total debt was less than Rs 10,000 crore when the BJP first came to power in Gujarat in 1995.

Critics have pointed out that much of the spending is on show-piece infrastructure projects, while overall spending on key areas like health and infrastructure remains low. The debt has mounted despite Gujarat having one of the highest VAT on petrol and also being the one of the few states to have VAT on fertilizers.

The latest CAG report tabled in the assembly last week stated, “As of 31 March 2012, the government had invested Rs 39179 crore in areas where the average return on investment was just 0.27 per cent in last five years while the government paid an interest of 7.75 on its borrowings during the same period.” It said continued use of borrowed funds to fund investment which do not have sufficient returns will lead to an unsustainable financial position.

Gujarat’s burden highest ever as ‘debt-free’ Modi plans flight - The Times of India

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

Things have changed in Gujarat since the 2002 riots - now Muslims see to be happy with him

Gujarat is now a modern Indian state

Mehbub Ali Chishty defending Narendra Modi on skullcap controversy ENGLISH SUBTITLES - YouTube

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

About scarf story and Muslim chacha praising Narendra Modi - YouTube

Gujarat Muslims offer Hindu pilgrims water, food saying ‘Jay Ranchhod’ - YouTube

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

this guy has the pro-business lobby backing him, besides the hindu hardliners. but it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out this guy and his ilk are bad news for india on the whole.

funny how advani who did all the religious hindu rath yatra drama and anti-muslim babri masjid demolition finally got his "omg i am now secular" ass kicked out by a communalist.

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

^ separation of temple/mosque/church from state is the only path that makes sense.

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

blame the system which allowed him to walk free indian democracy or as the media like to call it biggest democracy in the world!!!!!!!!

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

not saying modi isnt a criminal, but if he were pakistani, he'd just be an average politician. so you guys can get off your high horse. after all you guys just elected the party that paid official stipend to sectarian killers, and proactively protects its leadership. zip it.

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

awwww.... don't do that.

go over to Pakistan Affairs and see what we do with 'an average politician' :P

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

i don't think he'll ever be elected Prime Minister of India. he is despised by Muslims and younger generation.

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

i don't think pakistanis are aware of the actual allegations against narendra modi let alone the evidence against him. many people seem to believe he is accused of instigating the gujarat riots or being the architect/sponsor. this is not what he is accused of.

the primary criticisms are quite broad: that the violence took place while he was CM, that his government didn't act quickly enough to stop it, that he didn't express an adequate level of sympathy/regret, etc. these are accusations that require no evidence to prove but are also not criminal in nature. the most serious allegation is that he told senior police officers to let the mob "vent its anger". the evidence for this allegation is one police officer's claim of hearing it during a meeting. i personally think this is a plausible allegation but my willingness to believe this police officer's claim is driven by a gut feeling based on my biases and perceptions of modi. it is not driven by any substantive or persuasive reasons let alone any actual evidence.

there are strong arguments to be made as to why he is an unsuitable candidate in a pluralistic secular democracy but exaggerating the allegations is intellectually dishonest. making references to hitler, accusing him of genocide, etc. is just silly and erodes credibility.

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Re: Narendra Modi edges closer to prime ministerial run in India

Quite a few non Muslims who belong to the not so young generation and who believe in true Secular Govt also don't care for his excessive religiosity that makes its uninvited appearance into governance. A clear case for why this is the only form of govt that would keep interests of folks of all faiths protected.