The man behind the Modi masks – II

Mera Gujarat is his continuous refrain. He is a man with many shades. The man who ran the entire campaign on “Moditva” refuses to market “Brand Modi”. In short, this is Narendra Modi the Chief Minister of India’s richest state. An ardent devotee of Shakti, he fasts on Navratri without drinking even a drop of water. He is also a loner who left his home when he was 17 and has kept no contact with his family since then. In an exclusive interview with Zee News’ Swati Chaturvedi in `Kahiye Janaab` he reveals the hidden aspects of his personality and much more…. Swati: India is a country where even the Supreme Court’s orders are flouted, so does India deserve to be called a democracy?

Modi: See, such statements are political ones. Look at Gujarat, for example, you can roam around the state’s streets to ascertain the real situation. Even a young woman can travel at 2.00 am. What law and order problems are these detractors talking about? Look at the Union govt figures; Gujarat is a state where peace and order of law prevails. Not only this, we have no labour issues at all. There are no labour strikes unlike in other states. Swati: There is no consensus on issues now a days, only politics is there…. Modi: In my Gujarat there is nothing like that, we do not spend our time wasting on such menial issues. We are working towards achieving development goals. I understand criticism is there and in a democracy it will be. Criticism is welcome but fake allegations should not be levelled. Swati: Talking about recent incidents, just a few days back a decorated police officer laid down his life. But still people are calling it fake… When things like these happen then what do you think, how do other states look at us? Modi: The world is aghast at the development! The whole world is gearing up to fight terror and India is one country where politicians and their parties further their respective agendas and have turned a blind eye to terror. Here we have politicians who want to shake hands with terrorists. It is unfortunate that you catch an accused and without asking anyone these people go to Azamgarh. The country wants to know what relation these politicians have with Bashar and his family that they had to go to his house the very next day? Swati: Rahul Gandhi says that POTA is a failed law and it should be replaced by a new law… Modi: Then bring it! Get a better law, but the way other countries have tightened loose ends and brought laws to counter terror, we must do the same way. Take GUJCOCA, our Assembly has passed that Act three times. This Assembly is elected by the people of Gujarat. We have a right to do anything to ensure law and order. Delhi has no right to stop us and since they can’t say no so what they have done is that they have sat on it. Neither would they say yes nor would they say no. Maharashtra has this kind of a law already and Gujarat which is just 50 km away from it, doesn’t have a law to fight if something happens. Swati: Media has a lot of love for you. People say that it is mass media vs Modi and on Internet it is the opposite. Modi: (smiling) I am grateful to the media that they have made me famous. Media is not threatened by politicians or any government. It is only threatened by “news traders”. This group that is slowly gathering mass in media -- these “news traders” and “news manufacturers” -- are the ones threatening the integrity of media. So when I criticise, I criticise these news traders and manufacturers. I don’t criticise media, in fact I am grateful to media for making me so big. Swati: When you say things like these (tone) it is then that people say you make fun of others… Modi: Laughter is part of life. And if people think that I am laughing at them, then I can only tell them that this is actually a part of life. Swati: Ok, let’s leave politics. You are a very private person. Is it because of your ideology that you are aloof and have no contact with your family? Tell me are you very lonely? Are you all alone? Modi: See I have been a pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and it is natural to stay alone when one joins the oraganisation (RSS). But I am part of the society and I always stay in touch with the society. And I am in touch with five crore plus Gujaratis. Yes, I like to attend parties or other get-togethers but don’t indulge too much in all these things because then one tends to lose precious time that one can utilise for public works. And I try to save that little time so as to devote myself towards my Gujarat. I have never felt any loneliness. Swati: But still don’t you think that you need a friend, a partner? Don’t you feel the vacuum? Modi: I have five crore fifty lakh Gujaratis who are my friend, my guide, my partner… Swati: I came to know that you are fasting and that too without water. Modi: I do it in Navratri and I am a devotee of Shakti, have been doing it for 35 years. So there is nothing new in it. It is not something that I have started after becoming Chief Minister. Swati: Now since you are the Gujarat CM, you must have come across people who may want ‘favours’. You have said that “neither you eat nor let others eat”, but then you still would have met people who sought favours from you? Modi: Well! My experience hasn’t been like that. There are people who come with genuine works and proposals. Not everyone wants to quench his hunger only; there are people who come with genuine issues as well. Swati: Our readers want to know what interests you; nobody knows what you do besides governing Gujarat? Modi: I don’t do anything else other than for Gujarat. My mind is fixed on Gujarat. Whatever time God has given me is utilised thinking about the state’s welfare. But when I was not CM then… Well! I do yoga, and have travelled to the Himalayas, which interest me. I have also undertaken Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Photograpy used to be a hobby once; reading and writing are my passions. I write, read and my books have also been published. I write poems too. Swati: What kind of poetry do you write? Modi: About society, life, human interest etc. Swati: No romantic poetry? Modi: If one wants to find romance in them, you can find it. Swati: Do you search for romance in poetry? Modi: I love nature. Swati: So, nothing romantic about Narendra Modi? Modi: Even if there is. Then what? Swati: Whatever your interests be, be it photography, reading, writing or trekking, these are all lonesome sports…? Modi: I used to sing garba, used to dance a lot. Swati: Narendra Modi and garba? Modi: Yes, I used to perform garba, but can’t do it now because of the different stream that I am in. There is no Gujarati who hasn’t performed garba. Swati: Readers would be surprised at this revelation! Modi: Yeah! I know, but every Gujarati does it and with full fervour. I have done that too! Swati: In your party, Advaniji is a film buff while Vajpayeeji is a poet and has all the qualities of a poet. But you are considered a loner in your party as well? Modi: I don’t believe that I have no relationships because when you are a part of society, bonds would exist. How can one live alone in a society? No one can live alone but it may vary. Swati: One straight question, Brand Modi is so huge that your colleagues and second rung BJP leaders are afraid that you may leave Gujarat for Delhi. Any comments on that and who actually is your friend? Modi: See, all are my best friends. Those who are elder to me, I respect them and those who are my age, I am friendly with them. But I have received support from all and sundry. I have received love from all quarters. And whatever development I have made is also due to the support extended by them. Without the support I would not have been able to make such a stride. I have walked holding their fingers. Swati: You have two big leaders – Vajpayeeji and Advaniji. Tell me two qualities and what you imbibed from their character? Modi: When I was not in politics, I used to read Advaniji’s interview minutely because I used to find a lot of clarity and substance in them. It used to touch my heart. I used to cut them and treasure them for years. In fact, I still feel that whatever ideological base I have, it is because of him. Generally, if you see the closer you are to a politician the faster you want to run away from them, but Advaniji is an exception. The closer you go to him you see his stature increasing. Of course, you don’t see that in his words, but you start feeling that yourself. Atalji is a fatherly figure, and even if you make a mistake he will keep his hand on your shoulder and ask you to carry on with the work, that is his quality. And then, his stoic silence, I am really impressed with that. He is a great listener and he can listen for hours and then take out the gist of the whole thing. It has been a privilege that I got a chance to work with both the great leaders. Swati: Atalji and Advaniji were the stalwarts of your party. Advaniji is now Prime Ministerial candidate and people are also saying that Narendra Modi too is a candidate for PM’s chair. Give me a straight answer. Modi: I want to know why such questions are raised? I am a Chief Minister, Gujarat CM and this responsibility is given to me by my party. I have to fulfil that responsibility and this would be my biggest service. Swati: You are working in an organised manner in Gujarat. The state’s gross domestic product is 12.5%. Without planning it is not possible. You have to think, plan and devise strategies. So what are Narendra Modi’s plans? Modi: For my Gujarat, whatsoever and howsoever much I can do I will do it. For me my five and a half crore Gujaratis are God and I am completely engrossed in them and would like to remain there throughout. Swati: So your grand passion is Gujarat? Modi: People might say anything but I believe that had my commitment towards Gujarat not been there, then I wouldn’t have been able to work that much. Swati: What about the country? Modi: Gujarat’s welfare is India’s welfare. If I do something for Gujarat then it would benefit country as well. Swati: But before your party sent you to Gujarat you were national general secretary of your party. Tomorrow, if your party tells you to leave Gujarat and come to Delhi and work there, what would you say then? Modi: I have full faith that before assigning any task, my party would not convey to me via media, so if I am not given any task via media then I wouldn’t even send any answer via media. Swati: Don’t you miss Delhi, the Delhi sultanate? Modi: I have worked in Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir (that too when terrorism was at its peak). And I never missed Delhi then and now when I am in Gujarat, I don’t miss it here as well. I am a committed person and whatever work is given to me I give my best shot in completing that. Swati: How many hours do you work in a day? Modi: I can’t say that, but my colleagues do come up and tell me that Modiji sit down, talk and relax, but I don’t know how to do it. Swati: When did you last go on a vacation? Modi: I haven’t taken even a 15-minute vacation after becoming CM. Swati: And you never get tired? Modi: This work is like that and if I get tired how would I work. Swati: What is your favourite food? Modi: I like khichdi because most of my life I have been alone and this was the easiest thing to make, and gradually I developed a taste for that. Swati: These days in the BJP people have started fancying designer shoes, designer watches, designer pens etc. Narendra Modi who is the Chief Minister of India’s richest state, what does he fancy? Modi: I don’t see the need for any flashy material things. Not that I would dislike them if I would own one. It is just that I don’t see the need. Swati: It is said that you have an image. And you studied it closely with election managers. Like in the last election, Modi was ‘the issue’ so it is said that you are a master image manipulator? How far is it true? Modi: I have never bothered about my image, neither have I worked towards it. All my efforts are directed towards branding Gujarat. I want to start “Made in Gujarat” on the lines of “Made in Japan”. My sole target is “Made in Gujarat” brand and I want to market Gujarat across the world. And for that I would do whatever I can. I don’t have any time for ‘Brand Modi’. I can’t waste time for Modi. (Adapted by: Namta)