Gujarat Elections: PM Modi’s Speeches Lacked Restraint 

Kommineni Srinivasa Rao

PM Narendra Modi's speeches in Gujarat during the course of campaigning, are both astonishing and at times, unbalanced. Some months ago, it was widely predicted in many surveys that the BJP could not be vanquished in Gujarat and that it would capture anywhere from 182 to 150 seats in the forthcoming assembly polls.

However, according to pollsters, the BJP's lead seemed to be dipping with the results around the corner. At one stage it seemed doubtful whether Congress would get anywhere close to power. However, it is still widely perceived that the BJP would finish ahead with a slight majority. On the other hand, if the Congress does manage to ride to power, it will be seen as a big blow to the BJP, Amit Shah and PM Modi. By the same yardstick, the Gujarat polls will be seen as test of Rahul Gandhi's mettle, in terms of leadership, and a prestigious one at that. No matter which way the pendulum would swing after the results, it is essential for someone holding the office of the Prime Minister to show some restraint.

It is true that Mani Shankar Aiyar lowered the level of discourse by describing the PM as 'neech', but Rahul Gandhi responded to this immediately and Aiyar was suspended from the Congress. Modi, however, decided to stretch the matter further and even said that Aiyar had gone to Pakistan and gave his supari or contract killing seeking the PM's elimination. The term supari is used in mafia jargon and faction killings. It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister chose to use this expression. Moreover, that was in reference to Aiyar's trip to Pakistan which took place two years ago. No one would endorse Mani Shankar's opinions articulated in Pakistan, but for someone of the PM's stature to rake up this issue in his campaign speeches in Gujarat, is rather odd. The question is--if there is any substance to this, why was no action taken against Aiyar all these days? It becomes evident that the Prime Minister is out to make political capital out of the issue.

The PM also upped the ante by saying that by abusing him, the whole of Gujarat stood insulted and that Gujarat's self-respect had been wounded. He also referred to a tweet by a Congress leader, Salman Nizami who questioned PM Modi on who his parents were. The Prime Minister, in an election speech, said that the country was his mother and father and that being an Indian was his caste and community. There is no doubt that remarks such as the one made by Nizami deserve to be condemned, but it did not behove the Prime Minister to lend dignity to such loose talk through his references. In doing so, he is sending the wrong kind of signals to the country. Modi also made a sensational allegation that Pakistan's former army chief had assured Ahmed Patel of his support in becoming the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The truth behind such accusations remains unverified, but if there is any veracity in this allegation, a case should be registered against Ahmed Patel and he must be duly punished.

Instead of doing so, the Prime Minister is bringing up such issues at the time of elections in Gujarat, which again makes us skeptical about his intentions. In the past, even if PMs did resort to criticism, personal attacks of this nature, one must admit, were extremely rare. One does not know whether it is the issue of Patels in Gujarat, Demonetization, GST and other problems which is making Modi speak in this manner or is it that he does not want to let go of any opportunity. Whatever be the case, it is necessary for him to demonstrate more poise and dignity in public discourse.