So what is this fast about, Mr Modi?

Ahmedabad: As day 2 of the 3-day sadhbhavna mission of Narendra Modi draws to a close on Sunday, I am unable to comprehend the logic, strategy and purpose behind this exercise.It’s impossible to believe that someone like Modi--immaculate, deliberate and calculated in his every gesture--would not have really thought through this question before announcing his plans.[caption id="attachment_86624" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Gujarat's Chief Minister Narendra Modi wears an traditional Indian turban as he gestures to his supporters on the second day of his fast at Ahmedabad. Amit Dave/Reuters"][/caption]Was the motive to establish himself as the tallest leader of the BJP in the run up to the 2014 elections and make everyone else–his mentor, L K Advani included—fall in attendance and pronounce their support? Even though that purpose is accomplished, it’s unlikely that was the aim and intention behind this exercise.Was the aim then to project himself as the prime ministerial choice not just of the BJP but of the NDA? Unlikely again! Modi is too clever and insightful not to have anticipated the manner in which JD(U) leaders have either shrugged off and ignored, or worse, criticized his sadbhavna mission. Hardly a surprise if recent political history is taken into account.Everyone is aware of the hostility between the JD(U) supremo and Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar, and Narendra Modi.The reasons are also obvious.Modi is anathema to Nitish for two reasons.The Bihar chief minister likes to project himself as a moderate, secular and progressive leader who believes that any association with Modi would adversely impact his appeal vis-à-vis Muslims who are a significant political force in Bihar.The other reason is even more obvious. Nitish himself is an aspirant for the post of Prime Minister if the NDA comes to power and sees himself as a rallying point for non-congress forces in a post election scenario in 2014. I am sure both Modi and Nitish know this equation and realize that they are not allies but rivals of the future.And whatever be Modi’s calculations for striking new political relationships and forging new equations for the future, it’s certain that as of now it’s difficult to think of an NDA without the big chunk of Lok Sabha seats which Nitish can deliver from Bihar.So again, we return to our question…why this jamboree at this stage? Surely he is not trying to reach out to the already converted. Those who idolize him in Gujarat and keep voting for him election after election. Surely this cannot be his way of showing to the world that he is a great organizer and can mobilize the tens of thousands who are trooping in to the Gujarat university campus for having a dekho and darshan of their deity! That ability is hardly in dispute. Quite frankly Modi can without as much as lifting his little finger, mobilize a crowd which can be 10 times bigger than what we are seeing here.So then what’s this mission all about?By the process of elimination we can surmise that it’s really an attempt to go for an image make over through this sadbhavna mission. Of trying to show a more magnanimous, large-hearted and inclusive side of his, particularly in reference to those segments of the society who have thus far been left out in his scheme of things.So this should really be an attempt to reach out to his detractors and critics making this 3-day fast more of a reconciliation and “healing touch” exercise.But Modi is doing just the opposite. He did not meet the wife of his former home minister, Jagriti Pandya, who wanted to meet him and submit a memorandum seeking an impartial probe into her husband’s killing. He also refused to meet the parents of the two boys today who were found dead in suspicious circumstances in a spiritual guru’s ashram sometime ago. The grieving parents wished to meet the CM on Sunday and demand a thorough probe but Modi did not oblige.The worst perhaps was the manner in which protesters were treated at Naroda Patiya in Ahmedabad where families of the 2002 riot victims were trying to stage a demonstration. The protesters were arrested together with their lawyer only to be let off later. Even social activist Mallika Sarabhai was detained. It’s quite another thing that the kind of mileage the protestors got out of being detained only proves the old adage that it’s much better to have an intelligent enemy than a foolish friend. Whoever suggested that course of action to deal with the protesters simply walked into a trap leaving a big smile on the face of the protest organizers and leaving team Modi suitably red faced. And rightly so! Nothing can be more undemocratic than trying to muzzle dissent or any whiff of opposition in this manner.So once again we return to the question that if nothing in Modi land is changing then why this elaborate Sadbhavna Mission?Maybe Narendra Modi will enlighten us Monday when he breaks his fast and makes another speech.