Narendra Modi's Delhi rally: 5 observations

Updated: Monday, September 30, 2013, 9:56 [IST]

New Delhi, Sept 29: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's mega rally in Delhi on Sunday was significant on many counts. It was almost a solo show of Modi post his anointment and he was speaking at the power centre of the country where two Congress-led governments rule (at the central and state level).

Here are five major observations of Modi's speech:

First, Modi took on the power centre on its own turf. It was important for him to challenge the rulers to capitalise on the anti-incumbency mood. It was an easy task for him since both the Delhi and central governments are led by the Congress. He spoke about railways, infrastructure, power, aviation to target the Centre and issues like women's safety and Commonwealth Games scam to took on the Delhi administration.

Interestingly, Narendra Modi did not say anything about the AAP

Secondly, he decimated the prime minister with the help of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The Congress leader had strongly criticised the Manmohan Singh government over a controversial ordinance while the Pakistani prime minister called Singh as a dehati auraat (unsophisticated woman).

It was enough for Modi to pick the lines and launch a scathing attack on the Indian PM even though he ensured that the office of the prime minister was not demeaned. If the Congress doesn't respect the prime minister of its government, then why will Sharif, asked Modi. The same-side goal by Rahul Gandhi helped Modi to gain a crucial edge in a fierce competition which will gradually intensify from here on till the general poll next year.

Interestingly, Modi did not say anything about the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). His party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu earlier targetted the AAP, saying it was playing a friendly match with the Congress, but Modi did not say anything.

Thirdly, he provoked the allies of the UPA, asking whether they are also planning to serve under the shehzada (crown prince) just like the prime minister. This was a masterstroke by Modi to rattle the ruling coalition. For, if the Congress sticks to Rahul Gandhi's anti-ordinance opinion, then there is a possibility of allies getting annoyed with the opposition to the ordinance for it could lead to problems for many tainted politicians. For Modi and the BJP, it is a great opportunity to win some allies that they badly need to form a formidable coalition.

Fourthly, Modi hinted at a vision for the next decade by speaking on India's 75 years of independence in 2022. He said that one dreams that the poor people of the country will have a proper home when the nation completes 75 years of independence. By outlining a soft vision for the next nine years, did Modi hint at how he would take up the task provided he gets a taste of power?

Fifthly, Modi emphasised on a positive nationalism during his speech. He blasted the Pakistani prime minister for calling Manmohan Singh a dehati auraat (unsophisticated village woman) but not for failing to curb terrorism. He sympathised with the honour that the post of the prime minister of India enjoys, while tearing into the Congress for criticising its own leader and Singh for showing little spine when dealing with issues abroad.

Modi has set himself apart from his party by not explicitly demanding cancellation of talks with Pakistan and taking a more moderate stand. He exhibited a softer stand at a rally in Haryana earlier this month and spoke on the failure of the Indian leadership to address the nation's issues at the international stage.

The man also spoke on the utilisation of sporting events for branding the nation. He said this while condemning the Commonwealth Games scam of 2010.

In New Delhi

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi speaks at party Vikas Rally in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi with others at the Vikas Rally in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi speaks at party Vikas Rally in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

Senior BJP leaders L K Advani, Arun Jaitley and BJP's PM candidate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi during the BJP parliamentary board meeting in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi speaks at party Vikas Rally in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

BJP's PM candidate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi with party president Rajnath Singh and senior leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushama Swaraj during the party's parliamentary board meeting in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at Vikas Rally in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

BJP's PM candidate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi with party president Rajnath Singh and senior leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushama Swaraj and Arun Jaitley and others during the party's parliamentary board meeting in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at Vikas Rally in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, former party president and Delhi in-charge Nitin Gadkari, State party president Vijay Goel and others at Vikas Rally in New Delhi on Sunday.