Author: Mohua Chatterjee
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 15, 2008
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Delhi/UPA_is_only_passing_time_in_office_Modi/articleshow/3483585.cms
At BJP's national executive, Gujarat chief
minister Narendra Modi has been at the centre of action, delivering a much-noticed
speech to his colleagues and leading a sharp attack on the government's handling
of internal security. TOI asked Modi about the media projecting him as a BJP
mascot, a rung below L K Advani.
Q.: Don't you feel your work in Gujarat is
almost over and it is time you moved to the national scene?
A.: As far as a chief minister is concerned, he is part of national politics,
whether he is from Gujarat or elsewhere. As far as working for Gujarat's development
is concerned, I feel sky is the limit. There can be no full stops to developmental
work... innovation and initiatives are always required. You cannot fulfil
people's needs in one lifetime.
Q.: But as an individual you may want to do
more at the national level. If you are asked to head the party, will you want
to do it?
A.: When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was PM, Venkaiah Naiduji was party president,
when Advaniji is the prime ministerial candidate, Rajnath Singhji is looking
after the party! As far as organisational work is concerned, when I reach
the bridge, I will cross it.
Q.: What is your opinion on BJP's prospects?
A.: BJP is at the centrestage. It is ahead in terms of leadership. Probably,
India does not have another leader like Advaniji who has visited 400 districts
in the course of his long political career and that is why he understands
real issues and problems. Organisationally, BJP is the biggest in the country
now and in power in most important states except Uttar Pradesh. Alongwith
its NDA partners, it shares power in important states. As opposed to this,
the present government at the Centre is a faceless one, meaning it has no
issues, achievements or individuals that it can be identified with. They (UPA)
are only passing time. It cannot control inflation it is the first government
whose decisions one after the other has been overruled by SC.
For the first time, we have a government that
says something in Parliament and in the US, George Bush says something else.
It protects terrorists. It repealed POTA, it has been denying legislations
like GUJCOCA, national security is an issue today.
Q.: You mentioned UP which is dominated by
SP and BSP. Do you have a formula to improve things for your party in the
state?
A.: The Congress was dominant in UP which is why the state was always very
closely connected to national politics. The people of UP want to be part of
the national mainstream. I am hopeful of drastic changes in UP this time.
Q.: Congress is setting out on Navnirman yatra
in Gujarat?
A.: Interestingly, Chimanbhai Patel was accused in the Navnirman scam, and
today his son is heading a rathyatra in the state and calling it Navnirman
yatra. What should I say after this. And, for the last 20 years, Congress
hated raths and rathyatras, but now they are having to follow BJP's footsteps
and set out on a rathyatra.
Q.: Do you feel the need for a image makeover
for acceptability at the national level?
A.: Image makeover? If I serve other people, I can't be thinking of my image.
I'm working for the image of Gujarat and branding of Gujarat. I don't have
time to think about my own image.
