Narendra Modi - The Invincible King of Gujarat

--By Sagar Satapathy, Editor-in-Chief

Narendra Modi is back, and with a bang. Breaking News Online has been publishing a series of articles on Modi's campaign trail and the real situation in Gujarat. First, we were a bit apprehensive about Modi's chances. However, as the campaigning took a new turn with Sonia's "Maut Ka Saudagar" remark, we predicted a Modi win in Gujarat.

Our article titled "Advantage Modi: The Voter turnout says it all" on December 16, 2007, predicted that BJP would win 105 - 115 seats. And our observation came true when BJP under Modi secured 117 seats out of 182, while the Congress managed to get only 59.

In another article titled "Controversy comes as a boon for Modi", we made it clear that only a miracle would ensure a Congress win in Gujarat. That too came true. No miracle happened and Modi won handsomely.

Sonia Gandhi's aggressive campaigning, Rahul Gandhi's roadshow, Keshubhai Patel's anti-Modi remarks, BJP rebels, negative media, mobilization of minority votes, a strict and vigilant Election Commission all failed to defeat Modi's Charisma in Gujarat. He got more than expected. He kept his cool and answered his critics with the results. Finally, it is proved beyond doubt that Modi is the tallest leader Gujarat ever had. This election meant a lot for BJP and Modi and they have done it.

While Keshubahai Patel and Kashiram Rana were issued notices, 2 other BJP MPs were suspended by the party. Six of the seven BJP rebels who fought on Congress tickets, lost badly. Interestingly, Modi won his Maninagar seat by a much bigger margin, as compared to 2002. The final political scenario - "All defeated, Modi won". The historical victory in Gujarat is all set to rejuvenate BJP cadres across the state. If BJP wins Himachal Pradesh back from the Congress, then it would be big moral booster for the party in the forthcoming general elections.

There is no doubt that Congress Party is in tatters. They won't be able recover from this shocking defeat. Congress did its best and it's prestige and reputation both were stake in Gujarat. and, it lost everything. The fight was not between Congress and BJP. It was between Modi and Sonia. They crossed swords, matched each other in words and statements. Finally, Modi battered Sonia forever. He proved that he is invincible when it comes to Gujarat.

Be it the Gujarati Americans or Diamond Lobby or the Industrial Lobby and Cyber Campaign, everything worked in favor of Modi. Gujaratis wanted him to win, and he won with a near two-third majority. This is a big ...big...big win for him. Now the Congress Party is on back foot. They don't have the Left shoulders to cry on. The party looks helpless. It's allies have no longer trust on it.

Is it the beginning of the end of road for Sonia Gandhi's party? In all probability, the government will collapse by March or April and the country will go to poll again? With a rejuvenated BJP going for a kill, it will be tough for a fragile Congress to come back to power again. What Vajpayee and Advani failed to do, Modi did it in style. Kudos to the "Leader of Masses". Hats off to Modi and his confidence! He proved that he is the invincible king of Gujarat.