NEW DELHI: As BJP faces the tricky task of dealing with the demand of a section of the Sangh Parivar to push a more pronounced Hindutva agenda, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is likely to stick to more neutral ground like the economy, jobs and development.
Modi can be expected to speak on security and terrorism, a theme he touched on obliquely at a Delhi college on Wednesday when speaking of Gujarat's geography - "idhar registan, udhar Pakistan (this side a desert, on the other Pakistan)" - but he is likely to be firmly focused on development.
Of the Hindutva agenda pushed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, there was no mention and Modi is also steering clear of the Sangh-organized dharma sansad at the Maha Kumbh although he is likely to visit the mela next week.
The decision to attack the Manmohan Singh government's record on managing the economy and delivering on governance is deliberate as these issues are seen to draw in voters of all hues while not polarizing opinion on sharply religious lines.
Wary of the Gujarat strongman's image of being a divisive figure, BJP planners see a clear benefit in the CM coming across as an experienced administrator with a record to back his claim to being the antidote to UPA-2's perceived corruption-induced policy inertia.
Denying his critics the opportunity to label him as extreme saffron is an important consideration for the Modi camp as the CM takes his initial but determined steps towards claiming the leadership mantle with regard to the 2014 contest.
The messages he conveyed were in some manner specifically tailored for his audience of commerce and economic students, but the promise of "minimum government, maximum governance" will wash well with a broader section, BJP leaders feel.
Resistance to his candidature within BJP has declined, but a sterner test awaits with a powerful ally like Bihar CM Nitish Kumar threatening to go his way if Modi's projection becomes formal. The tough call for BJP is whether Modi can power BJP to 160-180 Lok Sabha seats without a key ally. It is now being felt that a fresh attempt can be made to assuage JD(U) by arguing Modi is the best bet to unseat the Congress.
The mood in the Sangh Parivar is coalescing around Modi with Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat endorsing him as BJP's PM choice, albeit reluctantly. Speaking at the VHP gathering at Kumbh, Bhagwat said the RSS should allow BJP to take its own decision, although he warned the party will be responsible for the consequences if things don't work out.
A decision on a prime ministerial nominee is not immediately on the anvil. BJP chief Rajnath Singh is to form the parliamentary board and executive that will need ratification. The party will then be focused on Parliament where it will seek to deny the government any feel-good from the forthcoming budget.
In the meanwhile, Modi's speech at Shri Ram College of Commerce has gone down well within the party with functionaries pointing out that the forward-looking message and sharp critique of the blues brought on by the Congress-led ruling coalition was on the button.
Narendra Modi to stick to governance issues
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Narendra Modi to stick to governance issues
