Karnataka setback may hasten Modi projection

NEW DELHI: A jubilant Congress may have celebrated its decisive victory in Karnataka by saying that the outcome’s exposed the claim about Narendra Modi being the biggest vote-getter but the saffron debacle may only escalate the clamour within the BJP for projection of the Gujarat CM.

Many in the BJP see the party’s fall from grace in its only southern stronghold as validation of beliefs that “politics-as-usual” won’t work anymore and that the party must rally behind Modi to benefit from popular resentment against Congress.

Sources involved with the party’s Karnataka campaign said the outcome could’ve been worse but for Modi whose appeal worked in Bangalore and Hubli-Belgaum regions. “He revived spirits of the cadre,” said a functionary . Sources said what Modi could achieve with a campaign which was largely symbolic could only enhance his appeal among the cadre who have, for all practical purposes, already proclaimed him to be their PM candidate for 2014. This is significant given the belief that pro-Modi fervour among the ranks will finally trump resistance he faces from some on the parliamentary board. “It’s inevitable,” said an insider on whether the setback will boost hope in Modi’s ability to turn things around for the party. The past three weeks, say sources, have seen the groundswell growing for the Gujarat CM.

This was evident last month in Patna when Shatrughan Sinha’s advocacy for L K Advani was countered by workers who raised slogans in Modi’s favour at an event to celebrate the birth anniversary of Babu Kunwar Singh, a hero of the 1857 revolt.

Then, Bihar deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi declared that BJP may project an OBC representative as PM candidate . This was seen as a reference to Modi. Sushil Modi enjoys considerable goodwill among RSS brass, and has worked hard to preserve the alliance with Nitish Kumar, set to quit NDA if BJP declares Modi BJP’s PM candidate.

Bangalore witnessed similar scenes in the state’s last phase of campaigning. BJP workers made their displeasure known when party general secretary Ananth Kumar prolonged their wait for Modi’s speech on the lawns of National College.