To all Narendra Modi critics,

I should clear my stand here in the beginning that I am neither a fan of any political party, nor a fan of any political figure and if the title suggests otherwise, it has been purposefully chosen to be so (Wondering why?? Read the disclaimer at the endJ).  But yes, I am a politics enthusiast. I have been closely following the developments of major political parties in the run up to the 2014, an election which, let’s face it, will decide the path of the country in the coming decade of uncertainties, both political and economical (again, I have no idea where it will tilt). However, the whole aura seems to be around one man, the so called “need of the hour”, “nation’s voice”, Narendra Modi.

It baffles me however, as to how a nation can forget the adversities it faces (Raghuram Rajan is the James Bond of economy indeed. You are doing good sir, keep pulling the rupee up), and concentrate around a person. Agreed, people may, in the name of, hopes after an incumbent government, supportive applaud, or a demeaning disgust. Nevertheless, I see even the present government, governments of states, all and sundry, playing the same flute. There has to be something more to it than meets the eye.

Let’s start with the news channels. I looked up on the “Nation wants to know” channel (all may crib yet all enjoy it, says not me, but it’s TRP). There are a total of 9 pages of video search with precisely 171 videos about the man, the oldest being that of March 22^nd, 2013. I bet seeing this even a Megan Fox or Barrack Obama will be awe-struck. I didn't even dare to look for the rest of the channels (Pardon me here for my inefficiency and poor knowledge of mathematical induction). But the questions stood-
Why so much about the man? We have always had PM designates and hell yeah, a lot many PMs too. Never was such madness seen. Why now?

I thought of stretching the canvas of my art, the horizon of my sight. I sat down to see what the videos were about. This time not relying on just one channel, but the father of all – YouTube. (I don’t even want to put a figure of the number there)

I started with all the debates around the man, absent the man himself, with two thoughts in mind, thoughts which we all have come across in our lives.

1.       Never hear from a man about himself – it is always biased.

2.        Critics are your best friends; they tell you everything about you.

While the pro Narendra Modis had a variety of arrows in their quiver, the antis had one nuclear missile- the shield of communal violence.

I was forced to think this, and now I ask you to wear the thinking cap-  why just one rebut, just one negation to the man, and why so abundant feathers in his cap, as the flowers in spring. I somehow feel the analogy of spring flowers doesn't suit the purpose. After all even the flowers have innumerable thorns and he, going by his critics, has just one.

The accusation of conducting a culpable homicide, igniting and fueling a massacre, is an accusation worthy of bringing down the Colossus, let aside Narendra Modi.

India has a history of innumerable communal violence episodes, dating as back as the 8^th century to as recent as now in Uttar Pradesh. But, if the critics are to be believed, there was just one, The Gujarat – 2002. (Please note I am not acquitting him of any charges here. I am just asking, why all others are not talked about.)

We pardoned the Gandhis, the Sultans, even the conquerors back in the dead. Why then, are we stuck on this man, who, ironically, has been acquitted by the law of the land, clearing him of the charges? Why now, when he talks of development, the growth, the industry, exemplifying with his work in Gujarat, is he pulled down for the one mishap, rather a mistake to say so. The very feeling that a man in the population of billions can actually drive a communal violence is too cliche to be thought of, let aside believed. When a state has been led for more than a decade, growth rates being maximum, rated as one of the best governance a state has had, by the leading analysts, why do they cling to 2002. Probably, rather, possibly, they don’t have anything else to counter the brightness of the man.

I have seen various reviews about the Gujarat Government and its chief, by the Ratan Tatas, the Adanis, the Amitabh Bachchans, the Ajay Devgans and countless many, from diversified domains. I have also heard the common men, the political analysts and the conjuring bodies. The reviews and allegations fall way short of the hollow criticism aimed at him. Needless to mention, the same state choosing him three times over now, even after the so called violence he spread there. I find it amusing to believe this fact and the accusations at the same time.

The recent bone of contention, after him being anointed as the PM designate of the party, is again the extrapolation of the accusations made in the past. “He has been a polarizing figure, he has been divisive in his own party, will again play communal, divisive politics if he gets the reign.”

I want to state, with the same idealism here, as portrayed by all the political parties, who snipe at the very thought of Narendra Modi’s elevation. In today’s country, no single party can form a government on its own. So, in case he turns out to be, what they claim him to be, these parties always have the option of dethroning him. I guess that is more of a political advantage for these parties. Overthrowing a man, who seemed to be dangerous to the nation?

Nevertheless, they don’t even want to try. There has to be a reason, a fear may be, the fear of Gujarat being repeated, is perhaps what they are afraid of?

Yes, they are afraid of Gujarat being repeated, not of the violence he may spread (We all know the security, political patriarchs have and we all know how seriously most of them think of the nation and its people).  But, of the development he may show, and get glued to the chair for umpteen numbers of years, just as in Gujarat. That is the fear of the political lot, with no exception to any party.

Coming to the critics in common men, like you and me. Psychology states, perceptions should never be drawn, with the perceptions of others and half knowledge, as they always blindfold you. Human beings have this face to love and face to hate ideology, which can never be done away with. Let’s just keep it aside for a moment, as they would say, in the best of national interests.

I am blessed with a set of friends which includes the pro and the con views about the man in question. I see multiple posts on Facebook every now and then. I fail to understand, do we understand what we want. I am also blessed to have a rather diverse ethnic and religious circle with all castes and creed. All of us want a growing country with bountiful of opportunities.

What we should be looking at, is not the person, but the bouquet of benefits he may bring along. Imagine if the Japanese convention comes not just to Gujarat, but to all the states, to tap the manufacturing potential- our economy grows, people will get more jobs. If he can replicate the electricity model of the state, most of our darkness will be shed off. These are just pointers, to see more, we need to give the man a chance. We have seen the Gandhis, the Vajpayees, the Raos, and the Singhs, even the Devegowdas and Gujarals, without much of return. Why can’t we then, give a chance to this man, who portrays all hunky dory regime, in case he is chanced upon?

Put your fears to rest for a moment. What do we have to lose? A shrinking economy, array of corruptions, rising crime rates, the Chinese and Pakistani incursions, and unemployment. Can it get worse than this?

The common man, to say the least is dying in the hands of so portrayed secular government, everyday, with rising prices. This also is a massacre where all the people, irrespective of caste, creed and any other divisive constraint, are dying. Aren't we? So either we say we don’t have an alternative, or we choose the one which we have at hand. Why can’t we put him to litmus test, when the world around us is showering praises, from UK to US, Japan to Korea?

Great men have always had virulent opposition. In this case, the opposition is not helping itself by bragging the dead excuse, and in case Narendra Modi goes on to become the PM, he should, in a victory speech; thank the opposition, because without their help, he wouldn't win.

We, the people, blame the government for not taking strong decisions. Let’s ask ourselves, are we strong enough to take a strong decision.

Today, we are on the threshold of cat in a box hypothesis. We need to open the box to see if the cat is alive or not. If we don’t, we’d never know, and perhaps wonder later that we should have when the time was right.

Disclaimer: - The topic has been so chosen to attract readers. The “Narendra Modi” name seems to sell anything from match box to apparels. So, it is more of a marketing ploy for the write-up.

Disclaimer 2 (more important): - Friends who don’t buy the reasons, please don’t snap ties off Facebook J.