The Modi charsima: Swapan Dasgupta

[Guest dada_rocks]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Columnists/S_Dasgupta_The_Modi_charisma/articleshow/2661475.cms Unlike the Gandhis, he doesn't have 'connections' in the right places and unlike many BJP leaders he hasn't bothered courting respectability. Modi doesn't release coffee table books on polo and nor does he have a favourite London restaurant to boast of. A workaholic who sleeps only four hours and who is crazy enough not to have taken even a day's holiday in six years, Modi revels in his distance from the frivolity of high society. It is this aloofness and refusal to be co-opted by the beautiful people that make him a delicious target of those who think they were born to rule. Socialites have been wilfully discourteous to him; he has been called a "mass murderer" and an "ugly Indian" to his face; and rookie pundits have suggested that he can be bribed into supporting the nuclear deal with an American visa. The know-alls have even suggested that Modi can be tamed and "corrupted" by the trappings of success. "Modify your image," they have advised him, "and we'll take another look at you." So far Modi hasn't budged. He has unsettled the Establishment because he is undaunted by hypocritical political correctness and persists in calling a spade a spade. It is said that this bluntness is actually hate-speak couched in code. If so, it is a code the voters have easily deciphered and identified with. The BJP used an old Barry Goldwater slogan in one election advertisement: "In your heart you know he is right." It struck a chord. Modi has been accused of arrogance by many, including those who are ostensibly on the same side. In practice this has meant the dogged refusal to bend the rules to facilitate special favours. Modi has shown that good politics lies in not allowing cronies to cream off taxpayers' money; and that good economics involves zero tolerance of waste and inefficiency. The Indian electorate is inherently schizophrenic. One side of it wants lollipops and freebies; another side of it yearns for a tough, no-nonsense and scrupulously honest politician. Modi has tried to get the patriotism of the voter to prevail over his selfishness. He has succeeded because he has come to personify courage and integrity. The day he succumbs to either fear or temptation he is politically neutered. The Gujarat model is not in conflict with the Bharat model. What has clicked in Gujarat is a leadership style built on innovation, dedication and a resolute defiance of a compromised Establishment. A Modi folklore has been created around an Angry Middle-aged Man with a 56-inch chest. It has corresponded with subliminal perceptions of good leadership. And the Gujarat voter is no different from the Indian voter. Modi has aroused great expectations. His political opponents will want him to be confined to Gujarat forever; the Establishment wouldn't mind him in Race Course Road as long as he removes some of his vital organs surgically. Let's hope Modi stays the course. Let's hope he injects politics with a dose of freshness.

[Guest dada_rocks]

How Modi inc routed sick PSU (congress) http://www.ibnlive.com/blogs/author/451/3403/vinaytewari.html

[fineleg]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Columnists/S_Dasgupta_The_Modi_charisma/articleshow/2661475.cms he has been called a "mass murderer" and an "ugly Indian" to his face;.

What else does he expect to be called? They'll call a spade, a spade :angry_smile:

[Guest dada_rocks]

Same BS coming from normal ostrictches I guess.. stick to smileys please

[fineleg]

Same BS coming from normal ostrictches I guess.. stick to smileys please

same pattern of name calling of forum members repeatedly even if you are not called names. Or maybe you like to be called names such as hindutva fanatic? if you like to be name called, then please do tell. You dont have to name call me to convey your wish. Translation of the above: Dont name call forum members. Read my post. I only talked abt NM, not about you. Stick to that.

[Guest dada_rocks]

Bugger off will u..

[Guest dada_rocks]

another mirror for ostritches http://dailypioneer.com/columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnist&file_name=kanchan%2Fkanchan143%2Etxt&writer=kanchan

[Guest dada_rocks]

Baat mein dam hai, these people religiously stay clear of thread whcih might blow their prejduices apart..

[Guest dada_rocks]

A wholesome leader beats all http://dailypioneer.com/columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnist&file_name=swapan%2Fswapan180%2Etxt&writer=swapan Leaving aside Digvijay who was defeated for his over-emphasis on NGO-style empowerment and inadequate stress on roads and power, there is a common thread that runs through Virbhadra Singh, Mulayam and Jogi: they failed the "integrity test." Virbhadra and Jogi were accused of corruption and Mulayam with crony capitalism. All three lacked the spotless record of say, Jyoti Basu, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Narendra Modi and Naveen Patnaik. The CPI(M) stalwarts depended more on organisation than on their personalities but in the case of Patnaik, the Orissa voters seemed inclined to even condone administrative sloth to endorse a fanatically honest man. There was a time when politics implied the successful practice of chicanery. Politicians were expected to use their discretionary powers to favour political activists and obliging businessmen. In the process, they were also expected to feather their own nest. Today's voters have turned more moralistic. They want development and effective administration. They are even willing to stomach lacklustre leaders. What they seem to have little time for are leaders and parties that are perceived to be integrity deficient. Modi was successful in taking on his detractors both within and outside the BJP because he was seen to be fighting corruption. As the General Election approaches, political parties should heed the central message from Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh: A development-friendly approach must be supplemented with wholesome leadership.