Rahul Gandhi was recently elected Vice President of the Indian National Congress. He spoke on the occasion. (That elected ought to be italicized.) Narendra Modi, invited as chief guest, spoke his mind at Shri Ram College of Commerce yesterday. I recommend watching both.
I’m conflicted and boy am I glad I don’t have to choose between the two.
The speeches were in contrast both in content and delivery. Narendra Modi spoke of his achievements; Rahul Gandhi spoke of the problem with politics. There were a few moments of awkward irony when his criticisms were embodied by the people in the same video frame as him.
Modi stuck to governance. He didn’t seem very interested in talking about the political system. Politics seemed like a means to an end for him. Gandhi spoke little else than politics. He appeared earnest in his will to fix politics. Again, he could have fixed most of the problems in politics by grabbing a club and shutting the door of the room.
Modi invokes a sense of pride in being an Indian. We have enough precedents there to say that we like those who make us feel proud of ourselves. Modi also spoke about having a small but efficient government. That’s a refreshing idea in Indian politics. Gandhi wanted the government to do as much as it could for the people.
For the first time, we might see an ideological debate between classic right-wing and left-wing philosophies. No matter where you’re coming from, that ought to be refreshing.
Gandhi spoke about social issues; Modi didn’t. Gandhi spoke a fair bit about women’s issues; Modi didn’t. That might have to do more with the occasion than what’s on Modi’s radar. But if he had spoken about women’s rights, I presume he’d have a traditional view of women’s rights. My hunch is Modi falls on the misogynist side of things while Gandhi doesn’t.
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The biggest fear with Gandhi is that he will be incompetent as a Prime Minister. To me, the biggest fear is that he will maintain the status quo. The biggest fear with Modi is that he will authorize killings if something pisses him off. That is still conditional, so my biggest fear is that groups seemingly acting on his behalf will make the country unstable the moment he is elected.
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It is presumed that the two will clash head-to-head next year in the general elections. That is a slight exaggeration for two reasons. First, in the era of coalition politics, we don’t vote for a Prime Minister–although we think we do. Second, there is a possibility that the BJP will pull a last-minute move to nominate someone safer like Sushma Swaraj. (BJP goes by Murphy’s Law: Anything that they can do wrong, they will.)
If however Gandhi and Modi are the de-facto nominees of India’s two largest parties, I think we’ll benefit from a clash only on two conditions–and I’m being wishful here. Both involve giving a middle finger: Gandhi to senior politicians and the rampant sycophancy in his party (I think he could bring about change faster and undermine his own authority better by staying in the Congress than from outside–much like King Abdullah of Jordan) and the second is from Modi to RSS/VHP/ABVP and other right-wing groups that he evidently has strained relations with but who act as if they speak for him.
Only then will we have an election worthy of our country.
All said, if people are asked to choose between the two, it’s going to be a no brainer for many (skewed towards Modi). And if that is what India chooses in 2014, liberal educated elite (including I) will go through an interesting journey.
7 comments
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February 7, 2013 at 3:23 pm
desi
1. ” He didn’t seem very interested in talking about the political system.” – I believe he was invited to inspire student, not to talk on political system. Though he talked a bit about ‘development politics’ and ‘vote-bank politics’.
Ref: http://www.dailypioneer.com/city/125786-srcc-looks-forward-to-modis-oration.html
2. “My hunch is Modi falls on the misogynist side of things while Gandhi doesn’t.” I would love to understand what made you to presume this.(other than 50cr gf comment which is already discussed on this blog)
3. “The biggest fear with Modi is that he will authorize killings if something pisses him off. That is still conditional, so my biggest fear is that groups seemingly acting on his behalf will make the country unstable the moment he is elected.”
— That is extreme statement, and I “absolutely” disagree with you.
4. “Gandhi to senior politicians and the rampant sycophancy in his party (I think he could bring about change faster and undermine his own authority better by staying in the Congress than from outside–much like King Abdullah of Jordan)”
Looking at his track record, his confidence when he is talking without preparation, and showing his level of knowledge by making stupid statements. I doubt there is possibility of such condition.
5. “second is from Modi to RSS/VHP/ABVP and other right-wing groups that he evidently has strained relations with but who act as if they speak for him.”
– IMO this could be possible, and that is the precise reason why many in BJP/RSS do not want him to a PM candidate. Togadia openly talk against him saying he is also doing ‘Muslim appeasement’ and some news report say VHP actually campaigned against Modi in recent Guj elections. if not middle finger, but he will definitely not allow RSS to veto on every BJP decision.
6. This is not regarding your post and not intended to offend you. Looking at the sycophants in the MSM and in UPA. Slowly liberal is becoming libtard, secular is become sickular…mostly because mindless bashing on every single incident/point against BJP/RSS/saffron/Hindu without solid argument and blindly support to dynasty (superb e.g Sanjay Jha and many in NAC). of course there many sycophants on other side as well but the population of pro-UPA sycophants is pretty high IMO.
Even though I do not agree on all your views, I like the post, its different than blind glorification of Amul baby or blind anti-modi news.
February 7, 2013 at 5:04 pm
Deepak
1. I didn’t mean that as a negative but I’m curious why you considered that line a negative.
I have never heard him speak about the political system.
2. Most people can be assumed to be misogynist unless proven otherwise. It’s similar to: most people can be assumed to be religious unless proven otherwise. This is based on sheer numbers.
Not being a misogynist is a new-age movement and its points are hard to get across to seemingly liberal people. Among older folk, this is only true for those whose ideas are well ahead of their time. Modi hasn’t said anything to be in that category.
If you find this hard to see, we should just agree to disagree.
3. The first part was not my statement, it is a widely held belief. The second part was my statement. One proof is the link to the ABVP activists’ behaviour further down in the post.
4. It was wishful thinking. I don’t think either of them are going to show the middle finger to their respective nemeses. And I’m bothered by the rampant assertion in the right-wing blogosphere/Twitterverse that Gandhi is stupid. He is not the shrewdest at politics (even Modi isn’t really one), but he is far from stupid.
5. It is needed so 1. People feel safe to vote for him and 2. So RSS/VHP members don’t act on his behalf if he is elected. Unless he says so explicitly, he legitimizes their actions on his behalf.
6. Read these tweets and the ones right after these:
It’s difficult for the right to see this distinction owing to where they’re coming from, but there is no conspiracy against Modi. Neither is it the case that liberals support Congress or that the number of pro-Congress sycophants is really high. But definition, liberals will be uncomfortable with Modi because of social justice issues, regardless of whether they support Congress.
I am glad you liked the post. It was an attempt at viewing things objectively.
February 8, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Mukta
You’re glad you won’t have to vote for Modi. On the other hand, BJP will be in the wrong to field Sushma Swaraj. Guess, there’s nothing the BJP can ever do to please you
February 8, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Deepak
I’m lost.
Out of curiosity, what did you take away from the post?
February 8, 2013 at 5:44 pm
Mukta
Took away what was intended. But I’ll save you a discussion. Largely agree with the other commentator, desi.
February 8, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Deepak
A very humble opinion: Political discussion is often a Rorschach test. Perception is our own prerogative; intent is not.
February 8, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Mukta
I thought you intended this to be an objective analysis of two probable PM candidates, didn’t you?
My comment was a mere observation that there’s no pleasing you when it comes to BJP.