As direct as it gets; Modi gets candid about victory, hope

From being a humble worker of BJP in the by lanes of dry, arid lands of Gujarat; to becoming the rising sun in Indian politics -- the journey of a man called Narendra Modi is quite fascinating to say the least. His is a story that can inspire millions and instill hope that with hardwork, focus and a knack to quickly grasp the lessons that come your way, you can make anything possible in your own life. That way, you also get to touch the lives of millions of people too!

The new book on Narendra Modi written by Lance Price, former advisor to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, has hit the stands. It is currently, the much ‘talked about’ piece of writing in the Indian politics and to a large extent, in world scenario as well. Because, the rise of Modi was a phenomenon that served as an important pointer for many world politicians who were amazed at the power the man wielded and the manner in which he employed the emerging technology, in a country that has been struggling to meet the basic needs, to create a clean sweep for his party. That way, he and his close coterie reduced the most popular party, the Congress which ruled the country for over six decades to a minority.

If ever there would be a match for Modi, it would be himself. Or, so his supporters say.

The man’s fierceness that lies camouflaged beneath that icy stare, and calmness on the surface is something that the youth of India identified with. After all, the country that has 1.25 bn population with majority being the youth, a young, dynamic leader was just a matter of time. Modi, the doer appealed to them more than anyone else last year.

In the recent book, ‘The Modi Effect: Inside Narendra Modi’s campaign to transform India’ Modi comes across as a leader who was confident of his horses. His sense of grip over India and thus the minds of his voters, Modi played the elections like a clever chess maestro. His first move, even as Gujarat CM, was aimed at finally clinching the throne in Delhi. And he managed it singlehandedly, through clever planning and amazing precision in execution, with his trusted aides.

The book is mostly a monologue of Modi, the man who was going to post an astounding success for his party in the run up to elections that changed India’s fate in 2014. Till then, voters who accepted short changes from the UPA were desperate for a choice that would matter to them on the world stage.

Across continents, the changes that have come by, as a result of electoral battles have happened in similar circumstances. One, the desperation of the voters; second aspect being the choice available looks promising and a reliable one. Only, when the ‘choice’ per se has worked hard to win the confidence of voters, the seizing of the political future is more or less cakewalk. Modi knew that too well.

Modi saw what others didn’t. That was the use of technology and new media to fight the elections as far as the urban voters were concerned. And for villages, there were of course rallies and melas where people gathered in scores to see whether the man they would vote for, spoke their language or not. And, god! He captured their hearts with a tone that resounded so much like their conversation. His speeches sounded like a one-on-one talks than an impersonal address. That was his USP.

In this book, Modi talks mostly about his confidence in walking up to the hot seat and seizing it with both his hands. He was calm, he stayed focused, did his homework well and was sure this was going to be his game, all along.

Voters saw me as their only hope, he says in the course of the book. Though this may sound narcissistic to those who have not known the Modi phenomenon, the language is not any different from what he uses otherwise on a normal day.

That he didn’t bother about checking on the second-to-second update on the day of results, carrying on with his yoga routine, is something so typical of a leader who knew he had laid the foundation for his future, rather strongly and with the right kind of material.

Call it self-glorification if you want, but that’s Modi. A man who believed in himself was the man who ensured his party gave him the right responsibility to fulfill towards the country. He didn’t wait for things to come to him, or didn’t ‘hope’ that he would be discovered by someone at the senior level. When he felt he was ready to take on, he went and seized the opportunity, without hesitation or pretentious modesty.