Holi seems to be lucky this year for Bharatiya Janta Party’s (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi (NaMo). He is no more a ‘leader’ for his party or his Gujarat state but probably the ‘Most Popular Person of India’, locals feel. The fact is clearly visible at Ranchi where vendors and consumers are preferring ‘plastic masks’, ‘caps’ and ‘pichkari’ with Modi’s face and name on these.
Earlier, this popularity was restricted only to his pre-poll speeches for BJP campaign. It is for the second time in the state capital when the common man has expressed love for NaMo. On December 29, when the leader came for a rally here, kites and flags were printed on his name and face along with BJP’s logo. Ganesh Sharma, a vendor who puts up his stall exclusively for these colourful items at Gandhi Chowk of Upper Bazaar for past 50 years said, “Keeping the present election atmosphere in mind we wanted to bring Arvind Kejriwal, Anna Hazare and Rahul Gandhi tagged Holi products besides NaMo this time.
But, in New Delhi’s wholesale market, NaMo was the only name available in every corner.” “NaMo branded caps, pichkari and masks are costlier than similar items resembling cartoon characters. Inspite of this ‘high price’ people are mostly demanding for products sold in the name of Modi. Atleast for the last four days we are observing this response,” Sharma added.
Sharma’s friend Avinash Verma, who is also involved in the ‘seasonal businesses at Upper Bazaar, said that in one order they had to bring adequate number of NaMo products. Verma said, “We have only two NaMo pichkaris left. Holi is scheduled just after two days. It is a good sign that all the NaMo products have been sold out wherein we have earned more than Rs 10,000 from the public. Very few of these consumers belonged to political background.”
Meanwhile, BJP members are feeling ‘empowered’ with this public support. “Modi represents the high political thought of India. Obviously, people would easily connect with such a leader. This might be a reason for his popularity in this festive season,” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Sinha said. Bhanu Jalan, convenor of BJP Information Technology cell said, “It is good that people are themselves ‘branding’ Narendra Modi through various modes.”
“Today Modi has become a nation icon. Almost every Indian irrespective of his or her age or community regards NaMo a leader who can meet the aspirations of both urban and rural citizens and fulfil those if appointed as Prime Minister of India,” said BJP members B Vidyarthi and Mahesh Prasad.