New Delhi recently witnessed the blitz of two diametrically opposite Chief Ministers who have sent out signals which can’t be ignored
Gone are the days of national leaders going to different States to address political rallies. With the emergence of strong regional satraps, the pattern has changed with the latter storming the capital seeking national attention.
New Delhi witnessed the blitz of at least two powerful and diametrically opposite Chief Ministers recently. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have sent out signals which cannot be ignored.
It was Mr Modi who began his forays to New Delhi soon after his hattrick by addressing the students of Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce. It was an impressive show and he talked of development and youth. He followed it up with his powerful oratory in the BJP National Council meeting, convened to endorse the election of the new BJP president Rajnath Singh. Unsurprisingly though, Mr Modi seemed to be ‘addressing’ the nation and building a personality cult around himself and his skills.
But within days, Mr Nitish Kumar too descended on the capital to showcase his achievements and the development work he had undertaken in Bihar. His main thrust was to get a ‘special status’ for Bihar, which was lagging behind other States. loath to let Delhi be ‘monopolised’ by Mr Modi, the Bihar Chief Minister also wanted to convey that there is another model of development and another Chief Minister who deserves national attention.
The reason behind the two leaders’ efforts to draw attention to themselves is not difficult to fathom — obviously to position themselves as prime ministerial aspirants.
Mr Kumar has made his opposition to Mr Modi as NDA’s prime ministerial candidate obvious. His party, the Janata Dal (U) has even threatened to sever ties with the BJP if this happens. The Bihar Chief Minister is banking on his secular image and his achievement in taking Bihar forward, to position himself for the top slot.
Interestingly, the two Chief Ministers are a study in contrast. While Mr Modi is a showman, Mr Kumar is slowly learning the art of self-promotion. Both are self-made men, having risen through the ranks; single and have spent their life talking and breathing politics.
Their worldview and their economic politics are different. Mr Modi believes in befriending rich industrialists, Mr Kumar follows the socialistic type of politics, similar to the Congress.
With just about a year before the 2014 election, Mr Kumar’s rally in Delhi was well-timed. Recent reports from Bihar said that the Chief Minister’s popularity was on the wane with the growing dissatisfaction among the teachers and other sections. Hence he had to keep his cadres enthused by flaunting his growing stature at the national level. The ‘special status’ demand is a clever strategy, especially after the Budget where the Centre had indicated help to Bihar. Mr Kumar also met the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for Finance after the rally to reiterate his demand for special status.
The Bihar Chief Minister wants to demonstrate that Mr Modi alone has not performed miracles. That he too has transformed Bihar quietly with the State boasting an annual GDP growth of 10.9 per cent, and wants the nation to compare the two development narratives. He has also indicated that his options are open for the 2014 election. He would look at any one who will give Bihar special status. He could either move towards the Congress if the Centre grants the special status for Bihar or lead a loose alliance of the Chief Ministers of hinterland and more importantly he could strengthen his bargaining position with the BJP. He would look elsewhere if BJP insisted on making Modi the NDA prime ministerial candidate.
This is for fear of losing Muslim votes. There was a clear warning to both the Congress and the BJP that the large eastern region as the key players in the next election and he could be the king or the kingmaker.
Between the two Chief Ministers, Mr Modi does not have too many options if the BJP fails to name him for the top job and he may have to be content with remaining in Gujarat or become the BJP president at some stage. Mr Kumar, on the other hand, has many options — maintain the status quo and remain in the NDA; align with Congress and not the least form a loose front with other regional satraps. Both leaders have made their presence felt, but how they will sustain until the polls, is a big question.