Narendra Modi versus Sonia Gandhi: Five reasons why the secularism debate is leading us nowhere
The BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi recently said that he will never engage in divisive politics even if it means that he loses the elections.
The BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi recently said that he will never engage in divisive politics even if it means that he loses the elections.
"I will never engage in divisive politics even if it means that I lose the elections. The country has been divided in the name of secularism. We are all fellow citizens and that is my firm belief. I have succeeded in Gujarat and I will succeed in India," Modi said.
The Gujarat Chief Minister also maintained that he will not make a separate vote appeal to the Muslim community. "I will never commit the sin of appealing to one community. I will not say anything to Hindus or Muslims. I will only appeal to my fellow Indians. They will then decide," he said.
The Congress hit out at Modi for his statement, saying he had no right to say anything on secularism.
Here are five reasons why the debate on secularism in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls is taking us nowhere really.
1. Minutes before Congress president Sonia Gandhi met Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari and he in turn made an appeal to the Muslims to vote for Congress, she hit out at 'communal' Modi and said he is divisive.
2. A day after Modi said he will "never engage in divisive politics" and would not "commit the sin of appealing to one community", the Election Commission lifted a ban on his close associate Amit Shah for campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, after an apology and assurance not to repeat his offence. The ban had followed his appeal to Muslims in a public gathering to seek revenge through suffrage for the wrongs done to them.
3. In its poll campaign, the Congress's list of achievements, which is shorter than the numerous scams that have hit the UPA government's 10-year-rule, has taken a backseat. The poll rhetoric instead focuses on the 2002 Gujarat riots and Modi's communal image. Rahul Gandhi sleepwalking over his patented women empowerment, RTI and MGNREGA speeches is not helping the party's case either.
4. The BJP seems to have struck upon the philosopher's stone for all problems of the country. For everything from corruption to development to women safety, there is 'Modi aa rahein hain'. Their manifesto which came later than even Godot left all wanting for more.
5. As a result, the 2014 campaign has just centred around secularism. The voter has no promises to weigh before deciding on his vote. It is just a purported fear and a purported caution.