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As Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi completes 10 tumultuous years in office, he remains enigmatic as ever — for his admirers as well as his adversaries. And like always, he basks in glory and is also troubled by the taint of communal violence.
His political administration has earned him the sobriquet of the CEO of Gujarat, Modi has continued to receive bouquets and brickbats but he was, in his own words, to use the stones thrown at him to build the staircase towards progress of the State.
Modi took over the reins of power in the State on October 7, 2001 following the BJP central leadership’s decision to go for a change of guard in the State, where the party enjoyed an absolute majority but suffered a dwindling reputation in rehabilitation after the January 26 earthquake that devastated a sizeable part of Gujarat.
The Chief Minister began on a good note, conceiving and implementing a scheme of incentives to villages that elected their sarpanches with consensus (samrath), but the State’s fortunes changed soon after he entered the Assembly with a convincing win in the by-election from Rajkot.
The killing of 58 kar sewaks in the Sabarmati Express fire at Godhra on February 26, 2002, sparked off vengeful riots giving Modi’s critics the chance to pounce on him with allegations of instigating the violence that claimed another 1,200 lives.
Allegations flew from all sides about neglect of relief camps and delaying their resettlement, culminating in the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee advising him publicly to follow ‘rajdharma’ of not discriminating against any citizen on the basis of his caste, creed or faith.
Emerging from the ashes of the State’s divided social fabric as well as a big jolt to the State’s economy due to three-month-long curfew in some cities, the beleaguered Chief Minister embarked on a State-wide “Gaurav Yatra”, which brought him good electoral dividends by way of securing an absolute majority in the State assembly.
As the dust settled down, Modi began demonstrating his incredible way of turning adversity into opportunity and focused his attention towards the State’s economic and social development, totally ignoring critics out to crucify him for the 2002 events.
Modi’s decision to project the State as the ideal investment destination fructified into industrial groups coming to Gujarat by the dozens. Starting with investment decisions worth Rs 66,000 crores signed at the 2003 investors’ summit, the final figure of MoUs signed at the 2011 Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit touched the record Rs 20.83 lakh crores.
True, critics did pick holes in what they called the big investment balloon, but the fact remains that top industrial houses like Tata Motors, Ford and Fiat lined up to set up shop in Gujarat, while some others wished to see Modi as the Prime Minister.
The high point of critics’ campaign attained such international dimension that the US administration denied visa to Modi but few years hence it also acknowledged that Gujarat had indeed progressed much rapidly during his regime.
In the social sector too, Modi’s 10-year-rule made a mark, especially in rising enrollment among girls due to the annual ‘Kanya Kelvani’ campaign. Similarly, initial indications in the Census show female foeticide has been brought under control due to the twin approach of public awareness like ‘beti bachao’ as well as strict action against sonography clinics indulging in the banned sex determination tests.
His political administration has earned him the sobriquet of the CEO of Gujarat, Modi has continued to receive bouquets and brickbats but he was, in his own words, to use the stones thrown at him to build the staircase towards progress of the State.
Modi took over the reins of power in the State on October 7, 2001 following the BJP central leadership’s decision to go for a change of guard in the State, where the party enjoyed an absolute majority but suffered a dwindling reputation in rehabilitation after the January 26 earthquake that devastated a sizeable part of Gujarat.
The Chief Minister began on a good note, conceiving and implementing a scheme of incentives to villages that elected their sarpanches with consensus (samrath), but the State’s fortunes changed soon after he entered the Assembly with a convincing win in the by-election from Rajkot.
The killing of 58 kar sewaks in the Sabarmati Express fire at Godhra on February 26, 2002, sparked off vengeful riots giving Modi’s critics the chance to pounce on him with allegations of instigating the violence that claimed another 1,200 lives.
Allegations flew from all sides about neglect of relief camps and delaying their resettlement, culminating in the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee advising him publicly to follow ‘rajdharma’ of not discriminating against any citizen on the basis of his caste, creed or faith.
Emerging from the ashes of the State’s divided social fabric as well as a big jolt to the State’s economy due to three-month-long curfew in some cities, the beleaguered Chief Minister embarked on a State-wide “Gaurav Yatra”, which brought him good electoral dividends by way of securing an absolute majority in the State assembly.
As the dust settled down, Modi began demonstrating his incredible way of turning adversity into opportunity and focused his attention towards the State’s economic and social development, totally ignoring critics out to crucify him for the 2002 events.
Modi’s decision to project the State as the ideal investment destination fructified into industrial groups coming to Gujarat by the dozens. Starting with investment decisions worth Rs 66,000 crores signed at the 2003 investors’ summit, the final figure of MoUs signed at the 2011 Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit touched the record Rs 20.83 lakh crores.
True, critics did pick holes in what they called the big investment balloon, but the fact remains that top industrial houses like Tata Motors, Ford and Fiat lined up to set up shop in Gujarat, while some others wished to see Modi as the Prime Minister.
The high point of critics’ campaign attained such international dimension that the US administration denied visa to Modi but few years hence it also acknowledged that Gujarat had indeed progressed much rapidly during his regime.
In the social sector too, Modi’s 10-year-rule made a mark, especially in rising enrollment among girls due to the annual ‘Kanya Kelvani’ campaign. Similarly, initial indications in the Census show female foeticide has been brought under control due to the twin approach of public awareness like ‘beti bachao’ as well as strict action against sonography clinics indulging in the banned sex determination tests.
