Pics: Modi's 'Go for Muslim votes' mantra could be a poll masterstroke

Bangalore, Aug 19: BJP's chief of the 2014 Lok Sabha poll campaign committee Narendra Modi has told his party workers that if the saffron party can get Muslim votes in Gujarat where it has been in power since 1995, then why can't the same thing occur across the country?

The question is perhaps going to worry Modi's 'secular' rivals more than his own partymen.

Is the BJP really worried about getting minority votes? Apparently it's a paradox but actually a calculated move by its leadership. By speaking in favour of Muslim votes, the BJP leadership is eyeing those secular Hindu voters who were not impressed with the Gujarat episode of 2002 and if minorities follow those votes swinging in favour of the revised BJP, then it will be an added advantage for the Modi brigade.

There is no doubt that the BJP's task won't be easy. But what has made it aiming big is the Narendra Modi factor. As a successful chief minister who has been elected for three consecutive terms, Modi is trying to implement the Gujarat model while making his way on the national stage. Some problems are bound to come up for no model is foolproof but there is a much better possibility for the BJP to do better than the 2009 parliamentary elections, because it has a confident leadership at the helm this time.

Two factors have made the BJP to get support from sections that are not its traditional vote-banks. First is the UPA's rising unpopularity among the common people. The deteriorating economic scenario is more likely to appeal to the commoners than a secular-communal debate and the relentless pursuit of Modi's detractors to engage with him over the 11-year-old riots might ultimately prove to be counter-productive for them.

Close to this comes the second point. Narendra Modi has worked hard for an image makeover since the last drop of blood fell on the soil of Gujarat in February 2002 and his pursuit has been rewarded thrice by the people of his state. It is a gesture which not many politicians in the country have followed.

From a 'minority-basher', Modi is being projected today as an able administrator who is respected around the globe, something which is enough to encourage the common man (irrespective of the religious orientation) to tilt towards him, particularly when he sees that the incumbent rulers have nothing fresh to offer.

The combination of these factors have made the BJP aspire for a majority government at the Centre in the post-2014 scenario. This could pose a fresh challenge to those who are desperate to derail Modi for they have not devoted enough thoughts to chalk out a fresh strategy to deal the Modi of post-2002 period. This transformation could be the deciding factor at the end.

Narendra Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at the BJP's National Election Campaign Committee and BJP office bearers meeting in New Delhi on Sunday.

Narendra Modi's cutput gets a cleaning

A worker cleans a cut-out of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi outside the NDMC building in New Delhi where the BJP's National Election Campaign Committee and BJP office bearers meeting was held on Sunday.

Top leaders

BJP leaders (from left) Narendra Modi, Sushma Swaraj, party president Rajnath Singh and L K Advani at the Party's National Election Campaign Committee and BJP office bearers meeting in New Delhi on Sunday.

Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh

BJP President Rajnath Singh with Gujarat Chief Minister and party's election campaign committee chief Narendra Modi during the party's national media workshop in New Delhi on Saturday.

Rajnath Singh and Narendra Modi

BJP President Rajnath Singh with Gujarat Chief Minister and party's election campaign committee chief Narendra Modi during the party's national media workshop in New Delhi on Saturday.

Narendra Modi and Sushma Swaraj

Narendra Modi an d Sushma Swaraj at the BJP's National Election Campaign Committee and BJP office bearers meeting in New Delhi on Sunday.

Narendra Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's election campaign committee chief Narendra Modi during the party's national media workshop in New Delhi on Saturday.

L K Advani and Narendra Modi

Senior BJP leader L K Advani inaugurates the BJP's National Election Campaign Committee and BJP office bearers meeting in New Delhi on Sunday. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modiis on his left.

Narendra Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's election campaign committee chief Narendra Modi arrives at the party's national media workshop in New Delhi on Saturday.

Rajnath Singh, Narendra Modi and Prakash Javadekar

BJP president Rajnath Singh with Gujarat Chief Minister and party's election campaign committee chief Narendra Modi and party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar during the party's national media workshop in New Delhi on Saturday.

Narendra Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's election campaign commitee chief Narendra Modi is greeted during the party's national media workshop in New Delhi on Saturday.

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