What unites Modi and Indira Gandhi?

5 reasons why Modi reminds me of Indira Gandhi

Even a casual observer of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi cannot ignore the similarity he has with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Out of curiosity I have put this proposition to many within the BJP. Surprisingly most of them agree. They only have different reasons for doing so. 

 

So, what unites Modi and Gandhi? 

 

The first, of course, is the similarity in style. Modi and Gandhi talk to the masses. Their slogans are aimed at the common man. Rarely indulging in theorizing, they talk about issues which concern their daily lives. As a consequence, they have supporters who either revere them or those who despise them. Those of Modi only make this too obvious. 

 

Second reason is the more important one. Like Gandhi, Modi has made his party irrelevant. It is yet too early to gauge what impact Modi will have on the elections, but people on the ground are excited by him and not by the BJP. Ask any recent convert to BJP what he thinks of Modi and what he does of the BJP, and you’ll get two opposite answers. Therefore, even if the BJP fails to revive its organisation in states such as UP and Bihar, it won’t make much of a difference. Modi sells without the BJP machinery. 

 

Third is the way they treat their opponents. Modi, like Gandhi, are not known to be soft on their adversaries. Emanating from deep seated insecurities, both don’t tolerate any open dissent. 

 

Fourth is how party colleagues perceive Modi and Gandhi. With Gandhi, her cabinet colleagues never knew where they stood. Likewise with Modi, there is always the fear amongst his party members on how Modi perceives them. Senior leaders in Delhi confide that they are never sure whether Modi is with them or against. 

 

Lastly, their loneliness unites them. Gandhi was never known for keeping friends. Closely guarded by her bureaucrats, she was only seen as close to her son, Sanjay Gandhi. Like her, not much is known about who are Modi’s friends. That is, if he has any.