Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, India, speaks during the welcome lunch at the World Economic Forum's India Economic Summit 2008 in New Delhi
Chief Minister of Gujarat
Incumbent
Assumed office
7 October 2001
Governor Dr. Kamla Beniwal
Preceded by Keshubhai Patel
Constituency Maninagar
Personal details
Born 17 September 1950 (1950-09-17) (age 61)
Vadnagar, Gujarat, India
Political party Bharatiya Janata Party
Residence Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Alma mater Gujarat University[1]
Religion Hinduism
Website Narendra Modi
As of 9 March, 2009
Source: Government of Gujarat

Narendra Damodardas Modi (Gujarati: નરેન્દ્ર દામોદરદાસ મોદી, pronounced [nəɾɛn̪d̪ɾə d̪ämod̪əɾd̪äs mod̪i]; born 17 September 1950[1]) is the current Chief Minister of the Indian state of Gujarat.

He was born in a middle class family in Vadnagar; and is a member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh since childhood, as also an active politician since early in life. He holds a masters degree in political science. In 1998, he was chosen by L. K. Advani, the leader of the BJP, to direct the election campaign in Gujarat as well as Himachal Pradesh.

He became Chief Minister of Gujarat in October 2001, promoted to the office at a time when his predecessor Keshubhai Patel had resigned, following the defeat of BJP in the by-elections.

His tenure as chief minister of Gujarat began on 7 October 2001, and he is the longest serving Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat.[2] In July 2007 he became the longest serving Chief Minister in Gujarat's history when he had been in power for 2063 days continuously.[3] He was elected again for a third term[4] on 23 December 2007 in the state elections, which he had cast as a "referendum on his rule".[5][6]

Contents

Personal life

Modi was born to a middle class Modh family in Vadnagar in Mehsana district of what was then Bombay State, India. During the Indo-Pak war in the mid sixties, even as a young boy, he volunteered to serve the soldiers in transit at railway stations.[7] As a young man, he joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a student organization and was involved in the anti-corruption Nav Nirmāṇ ("Reconstruction") Movement. After working as a full time organizer for the organization, he was later nominated as its representative in the Bharatiya Janata Party.[8] He is a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). As a teenager Modi used to run a tea stall with his brother.[9] Modi completed his schooling in Vadnagar. He earned a masters degree in Political Science from Gujarat University.[10]

Early activism and politics

Modi was a Pracharak in the RSS during his university years.[10][11]

He took up the challenging task of energizing the party cadres in right earnest. In partnership with Shankarsingh Vaghela, Modi set about creating a strong cadre base in Gujarat. In the initial period, Shankarsingh Vaghela was seen as a mass leader, while Modi was recognised as a master strategist.

The party started gaining political mileage and formed a coalition government at the centre in April 1990. This partnership fell apart within a few months, but the BJP came to power with a two-thirds majority on its own in Gujarat in 1995. Since then, the BJP has been governing Gujarat.

During this period, Modi was entrusted with the responsibility of organizing two crucial national events, the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra (a political rally through India on a converted Toyota van) of L.K. Advani and a similar march from Kanyakumari (the southernmost part of India) to Kashmir in the North. After the exit of Shankarsingh Vaghela from the BJP, Keshubhai Patel was made Chief Minister while Narendra Modi was sent to New Delhi as a General Secretary of the Party.

In 1995, Modi was appointed the National Secretary of the party and given the charge of five major states in India. In 1998, he was promoted as the General Secretary (Organization), a post he held until October 2001. In 2001, Narendra Modi was chosen by the party to be the Chief Minister of Gujarat after the removal of chief minister Keshubhai Patel.

Tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat

Personality

Modi is known for leading a frugal lifestyle. He only employs a personal staff of just three. He is known to be a workaholic Chief Minister and an introvert.[12] Contrary to his opponents blame of being rightist & Hindutva leader, he ordered the demolition of many Hindu temples that were built without proper government sanction which earned him the ire of VHP[9] He is described as an incendiary politician. A crowd puller as a speaker and a dramatic,sardonic and churlish speaker. Modi has also tried to turn his image from an Hindu Nationalist politician to an image of able administrator. He wears business suits and is improving his command over the english language.[13]

Development of Gujarat

As a Chief Minister, Modi started various 'yojanas' or plans. This includes:

  • Panchamrut Yojana,[14][15][16] a five-pronged strategy for an integrated development of the state,
  • Sujalam Sufalam, a scheme to create a grid of water resources in Gujarat in an innovative step towards water conservation and its appropriate utilization.
  • Krishi Mahotsav – agricultural research labs for the land
  • Chiranjeevi Yojana – To reduce infant mortality rate
  • Matru Vandana – Providing preventive and curative services under the Reproductive and Child Health Programme
  • Beti Bachao – Campaign against female infanticide to improve sex ratio
  • Jyotigram Yojana – Provide electricity to every village
  • Karmayogi Abhiyan – To educate and train government employees
  • Kanya Kelavani Yojana – To encourage female literacy and education
  • Balbhog Yojana – Midday meal scheme for students to encourage school attendance from poor backgrounds.[citation needed]


Acclaimed writer and social figure Suhel Seth who has been a staunch critic of Narendra Modi over Gujarat Riots appreciated Narendra Modi' s governance in Gujarat in his article in Financial Express saying

“ "I left Modi’s house deeply impressed with the man as Chief Minister: he was clearly passionate and what’s more deeply committed. When I sat in the car, I asked my driver what he thought of Modi and his simple reply was Modi is God. Before him, there was nothing. No roads, no power, no infrastructure. Today, Gujarat is a power surplus state." [17] ”

However contrary to this popular belief, before Modi, Gujarat had achieved as much as 35% of augmentation in its power generation capacity during the periods 1995–96 and 2000–01.[18] Gujarat's industrial growth history shows that during the period of 1960–90, it was established as a leader in various industrial sectors including textiles, engineering, chemicals, petrochemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, dairy, cement and ceramics, and gems and jewellery, amongst others. The post-liberalization period saw Gujarat's State Domestic Product (SDP) rising at an average growth rate of 14% per annum in real terms (from 1994–2002).[18][19]

Vibrant Gujarat

Vibrant Gujarat is a biennial Global Investors' Summit held by the Government of Gujarat in Gujarat, India. The event is aimed at bringing together business leaders, investors, corporations, thought leaders, policy and opinion makers; the summit is advertised as a platform to understand and explore business opportunities in the State of Gujarat. the event has been held continuously since 2003.[citation needed]

Gujarat earthquake

Main article: 2001 Gujarat Earthquake

The biggest challenge which he had to face, when he took over as the Chief Minister, was the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas affected by the massive Gujarat Earthquake of January 2001.

Gujarat riots

Main article: Gujarat Riots 2002

A train carrying Hindus burned by a mob of muslims in Godhra town leading to 59 deaths.[20] Riots took place after rumours spread that it was caused by Muslims in the state leading to 1180 deaths, mostly Muslims. Modi administration was accused of inaction for stopping the riots or even encouraging it.[13] As an aftermath of the riots, there were calls for Modi to resign from his position as chief minister of Gujarat. The opposition parties stalled the national parliament over the issue. Even Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP), allies of the BJP, asked for Modi's resignation.[21][22] Modi submitted his resignation to the Governor and recommended the dissolution of the 10th Gujarat Legislative Assembly.[23][24] In the following state re-elections the BJP, led by Modi, won 127 seats in the 182-member assembly.

In April 2009, the Supreme Court of India appointed a special team of investigators to look into the role Modi had played in the alleged anti-Muslim conspiracy.[13] The team was appointed in response to the complaint of Jakia Jafri, the widow of ex-Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was murdered in the riots.[25] In December 2010, a Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) in its report to the Supreme Court seeking answers pertaining to the Ehsan Jafri case, submitted that they had found no evidence against Narendra Modi.[26]

However in February 2011, the Times of India reported that a confidential report from the SIT indicted Modi on several counts of alleged complicity in the Gujarat riots of 2002.[27] Most other sources have noted that the SIT report does not indict Modi for the riots due to lack of evidence. They did, however, find him to be a coward for not admitting to his crimes. [28][29] The Indian Express too said the report did not find any Modi involvement in the violence, though it did accuse him of watering down the seriousness of the situation.[30] According to the Hindu, the report not only found that Modi tried to water down the seriousness of the situation, but Modi also implicitly justified the killings of Muslims, and failed to condemn the attacks on them.[31] The Bharatiya Janata Party demanded an investigation into the publication of the report, claiming the leak was politically motivated.[32]

The apex court refused to pass any order on the case and referred it to the Ahmedabad magistrate for a decision.[33]

2007 elections

In 2007, during the election campaign period, Modi made a speech at Mangrol which enraged the opposition and some civil society institutions. In response, Sonia Gandhi made a speech within which she referred to Modi as a "merchant of death",[34] and referred to Sohrabuddin's killing. For this speech the Election Commission of India, a constitutional body governing election proceedings in India, cautioned Modi as it considered it as an activity indulging in aggravation of differences between religious communities and hence against the election code of conduct.[35] Modi won the state election and continued as the Chief Minister of the majority government.[36]

Views and opinions

Modi's position on terrorism

On 18 July 2006 Modi delivered a speech criticizing Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "for his reluctance to revive anti-terror legislations" like the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He asked the Centre to empower states to invoke tougher laws in the wake of the blasts in Mumbai.[37] Quoting Modi:

“ Terrorism is worse than a war. A terrorist has no rules. A terrorist decides when, how, where and whom to kill. India has lost more people in terror attacks than in its wars.[37] ”

Narendra Modi has frequently commented that if the BJP came to power at the Centre, they will honor the 2004 Supreme Court judgement to hang Afzal Guru.[38] Afzal was convicted of terrorism in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack in 2004 by the Supreme Court of India and is in Tihar Jail.[39]

On account of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, on Thursday 27 November, Narendra Modi held a meeting to discuss waterfront security along the coastline.[40] The meeting decided to ask the Central government to urgently sanction the following:

  • Increase the number of police stations along the coast to 50 (from 10)
  • Increase the number of police to 1500 from 250
  • 30 modern high-speed surveillance boats.

The 30 coastal boats, under construction at Goa's ship-building yard, will have the capacity to run at the speed of 25 nautical miles per hour. These are being manufactured under the Centre's Rs 58-crore grant for coastal security.[40]

Views on criticism of Modi's governance

In 2003, when Narendra Modi was asked about the conflict of his dreams for Gujarat's future with international criticism of his past activities, Modi said:

“ "Yet, no one has asked this question to the USA after 9/11. Delhi is developing fast -- no one has asked this question to Delhi after 1984. If it does not matter to Delhi and USA, why should it matter to Gujarat?" [41] ”

Modi's decision to link Gujarat's ferocious communal violence with the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US drew criticism from some observers, who contrasted it with the then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's unpleasant apology for Gujarat in London a year ago.[41]

Responding to The Guardian's criticism in this matter, Modi replied,

“ I have not read and I would not like to read. But thank you for people spending time on me[41] ”

2009 Lok Sabha elections

Although the BJP narrowly managed to win majority of the seats in Gujarat, the loss of the Rajkot seat, after almost 20 years of control, was unexpected. Prominent politicians like Sharad Yadav commented that the BJP's projection of Modi as a future Prime Minister affected its performance in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.[42] Furthermore BJP criticism of Modi worries Gujarat leaders.[43][44]

Awards and recognitions

  • 30 January 2006 – In a nationwide survey conducted by India Today, Narendra Modi was declared the Best Chief Minister in the country.[45]
  • 25 August 2009 – Chosen as The Asian Winner of the fDi Personality of the Year Awards for 2009 by fDi Magazine.[46] The award was however withdrawn and awarded to the Gujarat state instead.[47]

References

  1. ^ a b "Narendra Modi – Biography". Moneycontrol. http://www.moneycontrol.com/biography/Narendra_Modi/550. Retrieved April 5, 2009. 
  2. ^ "Narendra Modi". http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/States/Gujarat/loh.htm. Retrieved March 28, 2010. 
  3. ^ Agencies. "Modi becomes longest serving CM of Gujarat". Expressindia.com. http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=87512. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 
  4. ^ "Modi begins new term in Gujarat". London: BBC News. December 25, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7159756.stm. Retrieved May 7, 2008. 
  5. ^ "Hindu Leader Begins 3rd Term in Gujarat". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=4049443. Retrieved May 7, 2008. [dead link]
  6. ^ "Narendra Modi begins third innings as Gujarat CM". The Times of India. 25 December 2007. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Modi_begins_third_innings_as_Gujarat_CM/articleshow/2650589.cms. Retrieved May 7, 2008. 
  7. ^ Life and Career: An Overview Official Website
  8. ^ "Biography – Narendra Modi". http://www.narendramodi.org/bio.htm. Retrieved May 8, 2008. 
  9. ^ a b On Race Course road? Times of India, Sep 18, 2011, 05.46AM IST
  10. ^ a b "Modi proves to be an astute strategist". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 23 December 2007. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200712231550.htm. 
  11. ^ "Profile: Narendra Modi". BBC News. December 23, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1958555.stm. Retrieved May 19, 2010. 
  12. ^ The Hawk In Flight, Outlook India, Dec 24, 2007, http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?236315 
  13. ^ a b c Sengupta, Somini (April 28, 2009). "Shadows of Violence Cling to Indian Politician". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/world/asia/29india.html. Retrieved August 25, 2009. 
  14. ^ "Modi invites investment in Gujarat". Press Trust of India. Expressindia. January 11, 2003. http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=18327. Retrieved April 5, 2009. 
  15. ^ "Modi Steals The Show At Pravasi Divas". The Financial Express. January 12, 2003. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/modi-steals-the-show-at-pravasi-divas/67951/0. Retrieved April 5, 2009. 
  16. ^ "With Panchamrut, Modi targets 10.2% Growth". The Financial Express. June 9, 2003. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/with-panchamrut-modi-targets-10.2-growth/81673/. Retrieved April 5, 2009. 
  17. ^ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/why-india-needs-narendra-modi/375103/0
  18. ^ a b "Gujarat". Industrial Growth. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat#Industrial_growth. Retrieved 21 October 2011. 
  19. ^ "Gujarat Economy". Industrial Growth. Gujarat Online. http://www.gujaratonline.in/Profile/Economy/index.aspx. Retrieved 21 October 2011. 
  20. ^ "Godhra train fire accidental: Report". Rediff.com. http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jan/17godhra.htm. Retrieved 18 September 2011. 
  21. ^ "Gujarat Cabinet puts off decision on elections". The Tribune. 2002. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020418/main1.htm. Retrieved May 9, 2006. 
  22. ^ "Congress demands Modi's resignation over Bannerjee report". United News of India. http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/03godhra.htm. Retrieved November 17, 2007. 
  23. ^ "Modi resigns; seeks Assembly dissolution". The Hindu. 2002. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/07/20/stories/2002072002640100.htm. Retrieved May 9, 2006. 
  24. ^ "Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi resigns; assembly dissolved". Rediff.com. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/jul/19guj.htm. Retrieved November 17, 2007. 
  25. ^ Mahapatra, Dhananjay (July 31, 2009). "SC rejects Modi govt's plea to stall SIT probes". Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/SC-not-to-stall-probe-on-02-riots/articleshow/4839947.cms. Retrieved August 25, 2009. 
  26. ^ Mahapatra, Dhananjay (3 December 2010). "SIT clears Narendra Modi of wilfully allowing post-Godhra riots". The Times Of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SIT-clears-Narendra-Modi-of-wilfully-allowing-post-Godhra-riots/articleshow/7031569.cms#ixzz1721JAJuI. 
  27. ^ "SIT findings ensure Narendra Modi can't shake off riot taint". The Times Of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SIT-findings-ensure-Narendra-Modi-cant-shake-off-riot-taint/articleshow/7421365.cms. 
  28. ^ "BJP demands probe into SIT report leak | Ahmedabad, World Snap News". News.worldsnap.com. http://news.worldsnap.com/india/bjp-demands-probe-into-sit-report-leak-100008.html. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 
  29. ^ The rise and rise of tomorrow’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday Guardian - November 7, 2011
  30. ^ Narendra Modi not involved in Gujarat riots: SIT report Indian Express – February 4, 2011
  31. ^ Subrahmaniam, Vidya (4 February 2011). "SIT: Modi tried to dilute seriousness of riots situation". Chennai, India: The Hindu. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1154007.ece. 
  32. ^ BJP wants leak of SIT report investigated The Hindu – February 5, 2011
  33. ^ 'God is Great!' Tweets a Relieved Modi Outlook - September 12, 2011
  34. ^ Agencies (2007-12-08). "Sonia's 'merchants of death' was aimed at Modi: Cong". Expressindia.com. http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Sonias-merchants-of-death-was-aimed-at-Modi-Cong/248175/. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 
  35. ^ "Election Commission Official Notice to Mr.Narendra Modi" (PDF). http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/press/current/NOTICETO%20CM%20GUJARAT.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 
  36. ^ "BJP adds 5 seats in Gujarat Assembly by-polls". Deccanherald.com. 2009-09-14. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/25090/banner-300x250.swf. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 
  37. ^ a b "Mahatma on lips, Modi fights Centre". The Telegraph. 19 July 2006. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060719/asp/nation/story_6496620.asp. Retrieved May 9, 2008. 
  38. ^ "Now, Amar Singh says Afzal Guru must be hanged". Indianexpress.com. 2008-11-04. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Now--Amar-Singh-says-Afzal-Guru-must-be-hanged/380948. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 
  39. ^ Indo-Asian News Service – Afzal Guru's guilty verdict[dead link]
  40. ^ a b "Modi wants 3-layer ring to secure coast". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2008-11-28. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Modi_wants_3-layer_ring_to_secure_coast/articleshow/3766781.cms. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 
  41. ^ a b c "Modi views on 9/11". The Times Of India. August 19, 2003. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/Violence-wont-matter-to-Gujarat-Modi/articleshow/137933.cms. Retrieved October 5, 2011. 
  42. ^ "SIT begins probe into complaint against Modi". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 27 May 2009. http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/27/stories/2009052755431100.htm. 
  43. ^ BJP Criticism of Modi worries Gujarati leaders
  44. ^ "BJP criticism of Modi worries Gujarat leaders: DNA". Zeenews.com. 2009-08-22. http://www.zeenews.com/news557353.html. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 
  45. ^ "Making Up For Lost Time". India Today. http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/20070212/nation1.html. Retrieved February 12, 2006. 
  46. ^ "Modi wins fDi personality of the year award". Sify. http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jiznt2hiece&tag=topnews&title=Modi_wins_fDi_personality_of_the_year_award. Retrieved August 25, 2009. 
  47. ^ "Not Relevant Indians?". www.outlookindia.com. http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?262767. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 

External links

Official
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Preceded by
Keshubhai S. Patel		 Chief Minister of Gujarat
6 October 2001 – present		 Succeeded by
incumbent

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