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March 25, 2014

Response to Text: Analysing Chetan Bhagats Article
Saloni S. Kamat
Unites States was stumped by it. The Modi effect is so intriguing that the U.S.
banned the Chief minister from reaching the U.S. shores. U.K., Germany and
other European nations realized the miscalculation nine years later and
corrected it promptly. For U.S., it was too little, too late. The possibility of
Modi ascending to the premiership of India in 50 days is looming large. Mr.
Chetan Bhagat, the celebrated author, has tried to demystify such an enigmatic
phenomenon and unravel the Modi mystery by elucidating elegantly and
candidly some significant facets in his article in 'The Times of India' titled,
'Analysing the Modi effect'. The article unfolds ideas, both minute and complex,
pertaining to Modi's transformation from Pariah to probable Prime Minister.
The finer strands he has missed can be discerned by a nationalist heart.
Bhagat has fittingly ascribed to Modi extreme attributes such as 'fascinating',
'controversial', and 'pariah'. Love him, or hate him; but you cannot ignore him.
The brigade that loathes him, abused him, hounded him through CBI cases, and
even weakened his security hoping for the worst. Individuals like Teesta
Setalvad, financed by the ruling party, made careers based on Modi baiting,
'screaming' against his concocted failures and looking for holes in the most
pathetic places while ignoring Modis spectacular achievements. Bhagat has
aptly termed such ventures as 'a new industry'. The result? Modi took center
stage; he 'thrived'. 'Criticism is Modi's polish...' Castigation and vituperation are
his tonic. The transformation is complete when the elusive allies send
accommodating feelers. He is a leader of hope.
Bhagat has meticulously picked up Modis Hindutva stance, development
agenda, ability to manage expectations, personality, oratory, sense of humour,
practicality and his divine luck and succinctly analysed the impetuses that
have catapulted Modi to the numero uno position in the Prime Ministerial
stakes. He boldly explores the frowned-upon theme of a 'strong sense of Hindu
entitlement'. Bhagat however has not alluded to Modis tactical toning down of
his proven Hindu nationalism to assuage secularists. His rhetorical questions to
Hindus while bombs were exploding during his Patna rally Do you want to
fight muslims or poverty?(and vice versa) was a masterstroke. All his
perceived downsides are working to his advantage. Can his state cabinet

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members dissent? Yes, as long as they are on Modi's side. However, the Indians
love a tough Prime Minister. The ruling party members are breastbeating that it
is a one-man show. However, It is a one-man show versus no show. And the
one-man show is working.
Bhagats quest to comprehend the characteristics of the engine propelling
Modis unstoppable juggernaut is not just academic, for as he rightly points out
that while it would give BJP, which is not home yet, an insight to enhance its
engine torque, the opposition can learn a trick or two to put a spoke in its
wheel, instead of ineptly helping it to gather momentum. Curiously, Bhagat has
almost cast the ruling party in the role of an opposition. For the first time,
someone outside the ruling party has attained the pole position and everyone
else is trying to stop him.
Bhagat feels it would also give us insights about who we are as Indians. The
insight Bhagat may gain is a common perception of the gullible Indians about
ourselves, content in drawing the veil of self-defeating feigned righteousness,
assiduously cultivated by the ruling elite through the media to perpetuate their
rule for eons and to ensure that the Indians would not embrace the genius of
Modi till their ship has sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Any other self
respecting country would have entrusted Modi to unleash his prowess to uplift
the nation long ago and the riveting episode Bhagat has analysed would not
have existed at all.
Also, Bhagat has missed an obvious rationale for the swelling of Modis
unprecedented support in the recent months. Until Modi came on stage, there
was a huge advantage waiting to be plucked: the ruling partys looting spree
leading to miseries overwhelming the common man. However, BJP could not
articulate it, resulting in opinion poll headlines like Congress in retreat, but
no BJP gains. Modi unveiled the self-defeating righteousness and drilled down
this fact into the minds of simple citizens with sagaciously designed extempore
speeches. On the other hand, he voiced his robust performance, practical
solutions and amazing vision on governance, economic resurgence and every
issue under the sky in a fluent flow of a Guru. A perception grew: Modi
knows it all. He can do it all. He will do it all. The tide turned.
On the whole, Bhagat has captured the essence of a myriad of complex factors
efficiently. The real reason behind Modis ascendency, though, is: Modi knows
it all.
Saloni S. Kamat, snlkamat@gmail.com