CHAPTER 8:

"Modi, Muslims and Media - Voices from Narendra Modi's Gujarat"

Madhu Kishwar
There is an atmosphere of mourning within the Congress Party over the declaration of support to the
BJP by 28 Muslim organisations reputed to be doing good work for the welfare of their society.
The Sanjh Times, February 9, 2002
With what face are Congress leaders going to ask for the votes of the Muslim community? If they have
done even one thing for the Muslim samaj in the last 35 years, they should present its account in two
days. Rajkots nationalist Muslim community is well aware of the amount of good works done by the BJP
government for the Muslim community in Rajkot. Congress leaders have now realized that when they go
for mass contact in Muslim areas, the Muslim community is not welcoming them in any way.
Kaderbhai Salot quoted in Sanjh Times, February 11, 2002
In the booths with over 70 per cent Muslim vote, BJP is far ahead... Nationalist Muslims seem to have
had a big hand in the big victory achieved by Narendra Modi ji in the Vidhan Sabha bye-election.
Sanjh Times on Modis election victory on February 25, 2002
-----------------
Those who have come to believe the Congress and Leftist propaganda that Narendra Modi is a
polarizing figure and that he was sent to Gujarat to convert it into a laboratory for aggressive militant
Hindutvainvolving systematic brutal suppression of minorities, especially the Muslims and the
Christianswould do well to study reports of his campaign for getting elected to Gujarat Assembly
within weeks of his appointment as chief minister on October 4, 2001. Narendra Modi filed his
nomination papers on January 31, 2002 to fight his first ever election from Rajkot. He had already set
into motion enough governance reforms to appear as a threat to varied vested interests. Therefore all
such forces joined hands to defeat Modi by means fair or foul. The following account will show that the
campaign against him was no different from the current sleaze-soaked campaign against Modi to
eliminate him out of the prime ministerial race. The Congress went on a do-or-die mission to finish him
off politically not because he had done anything bad, but because he had already set many new
records, especially with regard to earthquake rehabilitation. Their desperation reached hysterical
proportions when they found Muslims also deserting the Congress and gravitating towards Modi.
Before filing his nomination, Modi gave a call to the people of Rajkot that he will live up to the trust
reposed on him by them. Responding to various charges levelled against him by the Congress, he said,
As a worker of the BJP I am trying to win the hearts of people. We dont believe in negativity.
But I know very well that the Congress cannot give up its negativity. It only knows how to attack
and opposethey have opposed the introduction of POTO (Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance),
they have opposed Lok Kalyan Melas, opposed Samras Gaon, opposed strengthening of Gram
Sabhas. Will such negativity do good for Gujarat? Is it a crime for the government to be proactive
and work efficiently? Voters should give the Congress Party a fitting replyI want to assure the
people of Rajkot that whatever task you assign to me, I will not be found lacking in delivering
results.
During the course of my travels I had heard from various knowledgeable Muslims that Modi had very
close personal relations with spiritual leaders of many Muslim sects. But having been fed on negative
propaganda, I wasnt quite prepared for the totally different picture that emerged out of news reports of
his first election campaign. Far from facing hostility, there was actually a giant wave of support in favour
of Narendra Modi among various Muslim groups and organizations. This created utter panic among
Congressmen because he was taking away from the Congress Party its most loyal and captive vote
bank. Modi managed to accomplish what even Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the most liberal face of BJP, had
failed in doing. Though Muslims liked Vajpayee personally, they never voted for him or BJP under him.
Respected Muslim leaders who had spent a lifetime with the Congress deserted the party and began
joining the BJP when Modi became CM. Therefore, Congress leaders responded with unprecedented
fury and desperation to defeat Modi. But before I come to that story, let me describe the circumstances
under which NaMo landed in Rajkot for his first electoral battle.
Rajkot-based Vijaybhai Rupani, who is currently secretary of BJPs Minority Front, had played a leading
role in organizing NaMos first election campaign. He also knows Modi intimately from the time Modi was
the general secretary of BJP in Gujarat. This is the account he provided me of Narendra Modis first
election.
Narendrabhai had been sent to Gujarat as its chief minister without ever having fought any
election. But he had to win an election from some place or the other within six months. So there
was a discussion in our party about the most suitable constituency for fielding Narendrabhai.
There were many people who wanted him to fight from their respective rural constituencies. But
the party wanted a prominent urban constituency for him. Our first choice was the city of
Ahmedabad.
I asked Rupani if there was any substance in the allegation levelled by Modi opponents that Modi fell out
with Haren Pandya because Pandya refused to vacate his seat for Modi? This is Vijaybhais version,
corroborated by several other BJP leaders:
There is no truth whatsoever in the allegation that Narendrabhai tried to force Haren Pandya out.
Narendrabhai made it clear he was not going to ask anyone to vacate his seat for him. He never
once said to Pandya to give up his safe seat for him. The decision to field Modi from Ellis Bridge
was a joint decision of the BJP and RSS because it was considered the safest seat for the Party.
Everyone felt that since Narendrabhai was fighting his first election, that too as CM, he should be
given a safe seat.
It was the partys senior leaders who communicated this decision to Pandya. Since Narendrabhai
had worked for long years in Ahmedabads Ellis Bridge constituency and had intimate contacts
with several people there from his days as RSS pracharak and later as BJP organizing secretary,
the party decided to field him from there. But Haren Pandya, who was the sitting MLA from that
area, refused to vacate his seat. At that time, there was intense discussion in the party over this
blunt refusal to accept the partys mandate since everyone felt the seat belonged to the Party not
to any individual.
So the next choice fell on Rajkot where Vajubhai was the MLA. He in fact volunteered to vacate
his seat saying that he is a disciplined worker of the BJP; this seat also belongs to the Party, not
him He immediately resigned and went with hundreds of party workers in a procession to
Gandhinagar to personally invite Narendrabhai to come fight from Rajkot. All these decisions
were taken in a party meeting held at my house. Vajubhais gesture and the manner in which he
celebrated Narendrabhai being fielded from Rajkot generated a great deal of enthusiasm among
party workers.
The significant thing about that election campaign was that Narendrabhai left the entire conduct
of the election campaign to the party since he was focusing all his energy on rehabilitation of
earthquake victims and putting the system of administration in place. It was BJP workers who did
all the worrying and planning to ensure that he win the election. Narendrabhai had helped lead
numerous elections for others. But he had never fought his own election. However, he knew all
that is required to win an election. So he supervised from Gandhinagar what kind of programs,
meetings etc. should be organized, as well as the tone and tenor of the election campaign. But
the real ground work was done by party workers since he was handling his onerous
responsibilities as a newly-appointed first time chief minister.
BJP Dissidents Join Hands with Congress
By all accounts Keshubhai Patel made common cause with Congress leaders to give hell to Narendra
Modi. Rupani says,
When Keshubhai was asked to campaign for Modi in Rajkot, he plain refused. Since he was from
Rajkot and his entire political career had been built in this city, everyone felt that he should have
done his bit for Modi ji. The whole party, including Narendra bhai, pleaded with him. But it had no
effect. He was dead against Narendrabhai from day one. In fact, he did all he could to instigate
his entire Patel community against Modi, saying Narendra Modi will destroy the clout of Patels.
But a substantial section of Patels supported Narendrabhai because he avoided playing the
caste card and talked of the collective well-being of all Gujaratis. In the 2012 election also we got
big support from the Patels of Saurashtra.
A news report in the Sanjh Times on February 15, 2002 wrote: Angry at having been removed as the
chief minister, Keshubhai Patels rage has not yet calmed down He refused to budge despite the BJP
leaders having gone to placate him To continue with Rupanis account:
The election was in February 2002 and that is the very month in which the Godhra massacre
happened. His warm relations with the Muslim community can be gauged from the fact that
Narendrabhai had addressed several mammoth meetings in Muslim areas. In Rajkot there is a
big Muslim population of Dawoodi Boras who always dress in their traditional attire. Dawoodi
Bora youth organized a motor cycle rally in support of Narendrabhai. Dressed in their traditional
attires, they went all over the city asking people to vote for Narendrabhai.. And sure he got a
solid chunk of Muslim vote.
Another noteworthy thing about Narendrabhais campaign was that there was no negativity in it.
He did not even attack the Congress Party. In fact, he would start by saying, I havent come
here to defeat anyone. I have only come to present my views before you. Election is not just a
matter of winning or losing. But fighting elections is an integral part of democratic processes.
That is why I am here to fight this election. I havent come here to defeat or sink the fortunes of
anyone. I have come to assure you that if the people of Rajkot vote for me, I will never let you
lower your head in shame because of me.
He gave very samvedan sheel speeches during that election. No question of Narendrabhai
attacking any community or attempting to polarize the voters on religious lines. He also reiterated
that he will neither gobble public funds not will he let anyone do it (mein khata nahin hoon aur na
kisi ko khane doonga.). The image he conveyed to the public at large at that time has been
maintained till date.
But he was able to give no more than four days for election campaign in Rajkot. He would come
once a week for one day. He could not give more time because he was busy with earthquake
rehabilitation in Kutch and other government work.
This account by Vijaybhai Rupani was at so much variance with what I had been led to believe, that I
decided to check out contemporary news reports published in local dailies that were reporting on the
day-to-day developments of that campaign. They provide a very insightful account of the genesis and
wellsprings of the Modi demonisation campaign which continues till date.
Prominent Muslim Leaders Campaign for Modi
Kaderbhai Salot, a leading Muslim of Rajkot, played a key role in mobilizing support of Muslim groups
for Modi and in turning the Muslim vote tide in his favour. For example, a Rajkot-based
newspaper,Sanjh Times, of February 6, 2002carried the following front-page news: On account of
internal rifts in the Congress, Kaderbhai Salot and colleagues leave the party. More than 200 Muslim
workers of the Congress Party joined BJP. Kaderbhai is in the mood for new hulchul (ferment) despite
shortage of time.The report goes on to say:
Due to the efforts of Kaderbhai Salot, the vice chairman of the Gujarat State Minority Finance
and Development Department and the BJP Minority Cell General Secretaries for Rajkot, Aijaz
Bapu Bukhari and Altafbhai Suma - more than 200 young Muslims merged in
the kesariya (saffron) colour... Kaderbhai is in a mood to do some big things in a short time..
The 200 Muslims who joined BJP were welcomed and congratulated by senior leaders including
Vijaybhai Rupani.
It is noteworthy, that the first Muslim exodus from the Congress happened within 5 days of Modis filing his
nomination papers from Rajkot. On February 9, 2002,the Sanjh Times published the following front page
news item under the headline:Chief Minister Narendra Modi gets the support of 28 social service-oriented
Muslim organizations: Deep disturbance within Congress Party over this support of Muslim
organizations.It goes on to say:
There is an atmosphere of mourning within the Congress Party over the declaration of support to
the BJP by 28 Muslim organizations reputed to be doing good work for the welfare of their
society. [This happened] in a meeting held at the residence of a very popular Muslim community
leader - Kaderbhai Salot, who is also the vice chairman of Gujarat State Minority Finance and
Development Department.
Since the last three days Congress leaders have been going into Muslim neighbourhoods to
contact people. But the Congress is alarmed by the fact that the Muslim community is not giving
them a good response. They now realise that they are not going to get the Muslim community
vote this time.
In the declaration of support to Narendrabhai by the Muslim community, Hussain Committee,
Haider Sabil Committee, Jam Jam Sabil Committee, Ekta Nayaz Committee of ward No. 1,
Hussaini Voice Committee, Jam Jam Sabil Committee, Panjeetal Sabil Committee, Ashiq
Hussain Niyaz Committee, Yuva Muslim of ward No. 14, Ekta Blood Donation Committee,
Manzoor Hussain Voice Committee, Khwaja Garib-e-Nawaz Committee, Ekta Samooh
Lagnotsav Ayojan Committee of ward no. 11, and ward No. 16, along with several other
committees joined in a mammoth gathering.
In this meeting members who declared their support for Chief Minister Narendra Modi shared
information about the excellent work done by the BJP - Its workers going from house to house in
Muslim neighborhoods to provide them proper arrangements for Haj. [In addition, the BJP has]
upgraded the Minorities Board into a Corporation, provided land for kabristan (grave yard) in
Muslim areas, provided loans worth crores of rupees to help 571 Muslims to stand on their own
feet.
[Muslim leaders] publicly took on the responsibility of taking members of the Muslim community
to the polling booths of their area. Kaderbhai Salot said that nationalist Muslims will vote for the
BJP; and this will be proven when the votes are counted in those wards. This is how the name of
Rajkot and of Muslim samaj will shine bright (roshan hoga).
On February 11, 2002 theSanjh Times reported that Kaderbhai Salot issued the following challenge to
the Congress Party: If the Congress leaders of Rajkot have done even one bit of work for the
Muslimsamaj, they should announce it in two days or else I will announce the [good] works done by
BJP. The report quotes Kaderbhai as follows:
The Vice Chairman of Gujarat State Minorities Finance and Development Department Kaderbhai
Salot has posed a pointed question to the Congress leaders of Rajkot saying, With what face
are Congress leaders going to ask for the votes of the Muslim community? If they have done
even one thing for the Muslim samaj in the last 35 years, they should present its account in two
days. I warn the Congress leaders, who pretend to be the well wishers/sympathisers of the
Muslim community, that Rajkots nationalist Muslim community is well aware of the amount of
good works done by the BJP government for them in Rajkot. Congress leaders have now
realized that when they go for mass contact in Muslim areas, the Muslim community is not
welcoming them in any way. Seeing this, Congress leaders should learn that none of their
stratagems are going to succeed with the Muslims.
An Earthquake-like Situation for Congress
As described in earlier chapters, since after taking over as CM, Modi was totally engrossed in
earthquake rehabilitation work and fixing the administrative machinery to become more responsive to
peoples needs, he came to campaign in Rajkot only on weekends. And yet he created a whirlwind of
support in his favour. Even Muslim women joined to express support for him in public meetings. This is
what the Sanjh Times had to say on February 11, 2002:
The bye-election for the Rajkot assembly seat is warming up big time during the second round of
campaign on Saturday and Sunday. BJP candidate and Chief Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi
spread a wave of enthusiasm among the enlightened voters of Rajkot. In each of the small 12-14
ward meetings and community meetings, wise and enlightened public was present. They gave
an indication of voting for the Lotus and give a big margin of victory to the chief minister. While
campaigning like a whirlwind in the meetings of Soni Samaj, Darzi Samaj, Kshatriyas,
intellectuals, and so on, Modi appealed to them to make the BJP victorious.
For the first time, Bohra Muslim sisters publicly welcomed the chief minister and appealed to the
people to remain loyal to the country.
On February 13 the following news item with the following headline appeared in the same newspaper:
A big Muslim sammelan (public meeting) organized in favor of CM Narendra Modi. All attempts by the
Congress Party to stop this sammelan had failed. 50 Muslim leaders who had worked for the Congress
Party for the last 40 years joined the BJP. The news item goes on to say:
In Ramnathpara in the wada of the Ghanchi Samaj, a mammoth sammelan was held. The
presence of the heads of diverse Muslim communities and respected leaders of Muslim
samaj and thousands of young Muslims has created an earthquake-like situation within
the Congress. The sammelan was organized by Kaderbhai Salot, the vice chairman of the
Gujarat Minority Finance and Development Department. [Empsis mine]
In this sammelan several Muslim leaders, who had a 40-year long association with the Congress,
left the party to join the BJP on account of the divisive politics of the Congress Party. These
leaders had, for decades, mobilized the Muslim vote for the Congress Party. Those who joined
the BJP issued an appeal to Muslims to boycott the Congress in the coming election and
resolved to vote for the BJP. At this the Muslims present in that meeting declared a boycott of the
Congress Party with thunderous applause and by shouting slogans.
Modis Promises & Muslim Response
I have already quoted Narendra Modis message to the people of Rajkot on the day he filed his
nomination. There wasnt a touch of negativity in it. Even in his later speeches his focus was on
development issues and an inclusive agenda of growth. Far from seeking religious or any other
polarisation, Modi either talked of the new agenda of governance he had set into motion or of his vision
for Garvi (proud) Gujarat.
This is how the Sanjh Times of February 14, 2002 reported his speech that weekend. Narendra Modi
declares that Gujarat will be made into a Nandanvan [the legendry forest where Krishna performed
hisleela]. The news report goes on to add:
BJPs Rajkot candidate Narendrabhai Modi was given a traditional welcome amidst a mammoth
gathering (Manav Samanvay) in ward no. 16. Addressing a grand meeting organized at Popatpra
Chowk, Chief Minister Narendra Modi said that for the parched land of Gujarat, the thirsty people,
animals and birds of Gujarat, the Neer of Narmada (waters of Narmada) is the ideal solution.
For the welfare of 5 crore people of Gujarat even bowing my head before others will be a matter
of pride for me. Saying this, he talked of comprehensive development (sarvangin vikas) of
Gujarat. Commenting sharply on the Congress government, he said that what the Congress
failed to do in 45 years, has been done by the BJP in 45 days. Abjuring the bicholiya
pratha(tradition of toutism) of the Congress government, the BJP government has ensured that
full payments reach the people through Lok Kalyan Melas.... We will not look back in our
endeavours to create a prosperous future for Gujarat. Saying that in the hands of the BJP,
Gujarat has a very proud (atyant gauravsheel) future, the chief minister said in his inimitable style
that BJP government has taught a fitting lesson to those who are into conspiratorial activities....
In the end, the chief minister said that Narmada Neer is the dream of Gujarat. The government of
Madhya Pradesh is dilly-dallying in taking decisions over this issue. This is because if the
Narmada waters come into Gujarat, the BJP government will gain strength.... But this time,
Respected Atal jis intervention and the remarkable decision he took regarding Narmada to help
Gujarat realize its dream of transforming this state into a Nandanvan has made a difference
On February 16, the Sanjh Times rubbed further salt in Congress wounds by proclaiming in a headline:
A Samarthan Sabha (Endorsement Meeting) for Narendrabhai - Muslim community organized a
powerful public meeting. In the meeting Muslim leaders reiterated how Narendra Modi had swiftly
redressed long pending demands of the Muslim community such as land for an additional kabristan and
measures to strengthen weaker sections among Muslim community. To quote from the report:
In support of Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi, Muslim brothers and sisters gathered together
for a mammoth Muslim sammelan (public meeting) in Bhomeshwar, in the prime area of
Kaderbhai Salot, the vice chairman of the State Minorities Finance and Development
Department.
In this sammelan, Kaderbhai told the Muslims present there that the BJP government has given
a subsidy of Rs 20,000 per Haj pilgrim and made arrangements for direct flights to Jeddah from
Ahmedabad itself instead of [hajis] having to go via Mumbai. In addition, Muslim women have
been provided training in tailoring, in zari work and so on in 15 different centres in... In
thissammelan people of Mir Jamaat were present in large numbers and expressed open support
for Narendrabhai.
On February 18,2002 the Sanjh times headline says: A vishal sammelan (a mammoth gathering) of
Muslims in support of BJP in the Sadar zone.
Under the presidentship of Vajubhai Vada, a public meeting of Muslims was organized in Sadar
Zone, to declare support to Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi. In this meeting Muslim women
and men were present in large numbers.
Addressing Muslim women, the Chairperson of Gujarat States Tourism Department Vasuben
Trivedi said that the Congress Party has rendered Muslim women illiterate and backward
whereas the BJP governments Minority Finance and Development Department has set up
sewing, embroidery, and zari centres.
Seeing the presence of Vanjibhai Bada in this sammelan, Muslim leaders became very emotional
because he had given Rs. 60,000 for installing lights in the Muslim kabristan situated in Sadar. A
decision to give 7 acres of additional land for the kabristan had also been taken [by the BJP
government]. But given the opposition to it by Congressmen, the process has been stalled.
Various Muslim leaders honoured Vanjibhai by donning shawls on him.
The report then goes on to list the names of numerous Muslim leaders who were present at the meeting,
which was conducted by Bashirbhai Memon.
I am Not a Ruler, I am a Servant
The tone and tenor of Modis election campaign can also be well gauged by the February 19, 2002Sanjh
Times report of Modis speech with the following headline: I am not the nath (ruler) of Gujarat, I am
a das (servant).This is in the tune with his promise as the prime ministerial candidate that people
should not vote for him as PM but as a chowkidar (security guard) on their behalf who would not let any
dirty hand loot the public treasury or public assets. The news report goes on to quote Modi as having
given the following promises to his voters:
Ive not come to defeat or to put down anyone. Ive come to win the hearts of the people of
Rajkot. People should recognize the character of Congressmen who deprive people of Rajkot of
water.
Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi who has established himself as a winning candidate of the
BJP has already found an unshakable place in the hearts of the people of Rajkot. He displayed a
very soft heart today when he gave a message to the people of Rajkot saying, I am not the ruler
of Gujarat, Im a servant of Gujarat. The environment in which I grew up, sewa is treated as
adharma, not power. He said, In my entire life there has been no occasion when I had to beg
anyone for anything. This is the first time in my life that in Rajkot I have the occasion to ask for
votes. I assure the people of Rajkot that I will return with interest whatever the people of Rajkot
give me.
Talking of his own temperament, Shri Narendrabhai Modi said, Friends, Ive not come here to
defeat anyone; Ive not come here to put down anyone. Ive come here to win the hearts of the
people of Rajkot and to live in their hearts. Explaining his development perspective for Rajkot,
Shri Narendrabhai Modi said there are many opportunities for development in Rajkot. There are
numerous avenues for growth in the domain of education. After the Gujarat earthquake we have
decided to develop earthquake management system in Gujarat. One of the departments
connected with that work will be set up in Rajkot. I want that Rajkot should become a shiksha
dham (centre of education) and a centre of hope for the people of this region. Rajkot has the
distinction of being considered the foremost city of Saurashtra. Who doesnt know that in order to
work in that direction, Narmada will be the fountainhead of progress, not just for Rajkot, but entire
Saurashtra and Kutch?
Presenting the Narmada Sarvade (Narmada, the upliftment of all) chain of thought before the
people, Shri Narendrabhai Modi said that if the Narmada Project is implemented, there will be an
end to the water problem, fodder will grow plentifully, godhan (cattle wealth) will become
abundant, and the rivers of milk and curd will start flowing again. Despite this, the Congress
Party, which had laid the foundation stone of Narmada Project in 1961, did not complete it in 40
long years. Due to the [obstructions placed by] the Madhya Pradesh Congress Party and the
Congress government, there is shortage of water in Rajkot. The wise citizens of Rajkot should
ask the Congressmen, why are you putting obstacles in Madhya Pradesh to prevent Narmada
Project from getting implemented?
Congress has complained that BJP governments order for the closure of the illegal butcher
houses was a violation of the [election] code of conduct. Referring to this Shri Narendrabhai Modi
said, Please ask Congressmen whether their candidates are in favour of running illegal butcher
houses? Do they want to protect the hapless animals or the butchers?
At the end, appealing to the people for taking their votes as puja flowers in the temple of
democracy (lokshahika mandir) on February 21 in order to support the BJP electorally, Shri
Narendrabhai Modi said, I have come to fight this election on a constructive agenda. Being
constructive is part of my nature. I have faith that looking at my constructive approach, the
people of Rajkot will assess very minutely, weigh carefully, measure accurately and declare me
successful in this agnipariksha (fire ordeal).
On February 20, 2002 theSanjh Times gave the following synopsis of Modis election speech in Rajkot.
With the caption: Sneh (affection) filled message to the people of Rajkot by Narendrabhai Modi.
Samaj Seva (serving society) and Rashtra Seva (serving the nation) is the mahamantra (the big
mantra) of my life. This will lay the foundation for taking Gujarat to great heights. I wish that the
waters of Narmada reach Rajkot and Saurashtra. I seek your valuable co-operation through your
votes in taking my shraddha (faith) to its destination.
It is my tamanna (deep desire) to do something for our society; I am inspired by the desire to live
and die for my country; I want the glory of Gujarat to reach the whole world. Ive used
themantra of lokprem (love for people) through Lok Kalyan Melas organised by the government
to make the administrative machinery an instrument of lokseva (service of the people). In less
than 4 months, Ive signed an agreement with Astra Mines in Russias Moscow to connect
Gujarat to the global economy. To dedicate the entire government machinery to the service of
people and for implementing Narmada and other major schemes has been my visible
endeavor.
This is the beginning of my attempts to fulfill the responsibilities handed over to me by the
Bhartiya Janata Party. I need the co-operation of the people of Rajkot for Gujarats well-being
and all round development. Your vote is invaluable for the Gujarat of tomorrow. I have faith that
you will make our state agrani (progressive) Gujarat by voting for the BJP and ensuring our
victory. We have to bring about total development of Gujarat through honest hard work. In that
endeavour your vote will generate a new self-confidence in me. You have always trusted BJP. I
pray that I be blessed with the strength to live up to your faith. That is all I have to say to the wise
citizens of Rajkot.
To the baseless propaganda of the Congress, I have only this to say: Hey Prabhu!, kuprachar
karne walon ko subuddhi dena aur sadvichar karne wale ko shakti dena. Aur bus Rajkot ki janata
matraroopi shakti Bhajpa ko degi, aisi meri shraddha hai. (Oh lord! Please give wisdom to those
indulging in evil propaganda and give strength to those who live by good and good pure
thoughts). It is my faith that the people of Rajkot will bestow their votes to BJP. Narendra Modi
offers his pranam to the citizens of Rajkot.
A box item on the same page posed Narendra Modis challenge to the Congress Party in the following
words: Congressmen, who are today coming to you for votes in order to get into power, where were
they when a shroud of death had covered Gujarat following the earthquake? The The box item also
carried the following promises made by Modi. He is quoted as saying, I will:
Give Rajkot a modern scientific institution for measuring and managing earthquakes.
Make Rajkot the hub of tourism development in Saurashtra and Kutch.
Give priority to making Rajkot a centre for excellence in education.
Make Rajkot become the premier city, for not just Saurashtra, but also for Kutch.
Modis determination to complete the Narmada Project in order to take its waters to the parched regions
of Gujarat are a red herring for self-styled environmentalists. But given its popularity within all sections of
Gujarati society, and given that Congress Party under Nehru had started the construction of Narmada
dam, the Gujarat Congress leaders dared not oppose it openly within the state. That is why they started
patronizing NGOs and Medha Patkars Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) to mobilize national and
international opinion against it by launching a defamation campaign against BJP government in Gujarat
in general and Narendra Modi in particular.
Teesta Setalvad, Shabnam Hashmi etc came soon after. It is noteworthy that almost all of Medha
Patkars protest actions and yatras were carried out in Madhya Pradesh, where Congress chief minister
rolled out a red carpet for Medhas high profile protestors like Arundhati Roy and Shabana Azmi who
made the anti Narmada movement politically fashionable with generous support from American and
European funding agencies. Medha dared not enter Gujarat for launching her protests despite solid
though covert support from the Congress Party.
Muslim Women Campaign for NaMo
To continue with the Rajkot election story, on February 19, 2002, the Sanjh Times reported yet again on
the growing Muslim support for the BJP.
First time in the history of Rajkot, a saffron environment has been created in Muslim areas for
getting Muslim community votes. Educated Muslim women joined together for the BJP election
campaign. In ward No. 1 where there are more than 4000 Muslims voters, at 10 am, Anjaliben
Rupani, Kheruben Salot and the future Mayor of Bhavnagar Vibhariben Dave, under the
leadership of Manjulaben Joshi, along with more than 200 educated Muslim women, came out in
Muslim areas to appeal to the Muslim community to join hands and garner votes for BJPs
Narendrabhai Modi.
Seeing all this, the district and national level Congress leaders began to run helter-skelter.
Today, in the afternoon, these women will go around in this entire area and in Mochi Bazar and
on the 20
th
they will go around Nehru Nagar, Bajrangbadi, Rukhdiya, Maftiapara, Popatpara
areas to win over Muslim votes for BJP candidate Narendra Modi on the 21
st
[February].
On February 25, 2002, aSanjh Times headline announced Modis victory as follows: In the booths with
over 70 per cent Muslim vote, BJP is far ahead... Muslim youth leaders are expressing gratitude to the
voters. Nationalist Muslims seem to have had a big hand in the big victory achieved by Narendra Modi ji
in the Vidhan Sabha bye-election.The report adds:
In order to get Muslim community votes for the Congress, both the state level as well as the
national level leaders of the Congress Party had been campaigning in Rajkot for the last 10 days.
But all these leaders failed to get Muslim vote for the Congress whereas Muslim leader
Kaderbhai Salot, the Vice Chairman of the Gujarat State Minorities Finance and Development
Department, had organized three mammoth rallies in different areas of Rajkot as well as a
Muslim womens rally in support of BJP candidate Narendrabhai Modi. He also organized 13
different group meetings in Muslim areas. To help the BJP get the Muslim vote Vijaybhai Rupani
worked very hard along with Kaderbhai. As a result, election booths with over 70 per cent Muslim
majority population gave a big lead to the BJP.
Why Modi Swept Muslim Vote
The following factors had contributed towards this tectonic shift of the Muslim vote in favour of Modi:
The pro-people model of governance he had delivered was inherently inclusive Sabka
saath sabka vikas was being demonstrated on the ground.
His able handling of the reconstruction work in the earthquake affected regions also
demonstrated, through concrete actions, that Muslims were equal beneficiaries of the new
development model.
Modi had close personal rapport, built over decades, with a number of ordinary Muslims as
well as community leaders who came all out in his support.
In Rajkot itself, he had responded to the specific requirements of the Muslim community such
as the demand for graveyard land with speed. These requests, which had remained
unsatisfied for decades, were addressed within days of Modis coming to power.
He had upgraded the Minority Boards into full-fledged Corporations with a view to helping
new entrepreneurial activities and skill development initiatives among Muslims.
And yet Modi never appealed to Muslims as a separate vote bank. He responded creatively to their
legitimate social, economic and cultural requirements as citizens without pandering to their communal
identity. This approach threatened the very survival of the Congress Party. Not surprisingly, the
Congress Party retaliated with fury.
Chapter 9 describes the unethical and lawless election campaign Congress orchestrated in the
very first election of Modi in February 2002.