National

Manna For Modi

A BJP in disarray leaves the centrestage vacant for the Gujarat CM

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Manna For Modi
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But more than the BJP, the greatest opposition to Modi—ironically—is from the VHP in particular and the RSS in general. The VHP top brass, from Ashok Singhal to Praveen Togadia, detests him, and although their footsoldiers were crucial during the Gujarat riots and subsequent elections, the arrogant CM currently treats them like nobodies.

It is the RSS, however, which has the biggest reservation. Used to leaders who kneel before them, the Sangh old guard just can't stomach Modi who's not exactly in the habit of airdashing to their Nagpur headquarters. Although an RSS pracharak himself, even within the BJP, Modi's biggest foes are the RSS men on loan to the party—Sanjay Joshi (with whom he is not even on speaking terms) and Bal Apte. RSS chief K.S. Sudershan would be opposed to any national projection of Modi. It is on them that Rajnath Singh's hopes remain pinned.

More than anything else, that Modi should play a larger role reflects the crisis in both the BJP and RSS. It exposes the inability of the BJP old guard to relate either to a larger constituency or their own core supporters. It is a sign of desperation. For though a Modi may galvanise the faithful, he would also mobilise the opposition. He would repel possible allies although the counter-argument is that allies will come if the party rebuilds itself around a strong leader. The Modi project, initially at least, would be limited to rebuilding the BJP, not ruling India.

An ideal environment for a Modi to set his national foot forward would be one of heightened Islamophobia. The seed has been sown. All that's awaited is the ripe moment.

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