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Journalism of Courage
Under fire for the post-Godhra rioting, Gujarat CM Narendra Modi now finds himself short of friends within the state BJP and the government too. Minister of State for Revenue Haren Pandya8217;s resignation on Tuesday brings into sharp focus what was so long in the shadow: His arrogant and autocratic working style.
Not many are willing to go on record though. In private, however, they express unhappiness with the CM8217;s ways. 8216;8216;Who will grin and bear his autocratic attitude? He can8217;t keep snubbing and rebuking everyone,8217;8217; a leader said.
State BJP chief Rajendrasinh Rana, office-bearers as also ministers are known to be unhappy with Modi. He never enjoyed cordial ties with Union Textile Minister Kashiram Rana. Two other Union ministers, Harin Pathak and Vallabh Kathiria, too have fallen out with him.
The common complaint is Modi doesn8217;t listen to anyone. 8216;8216;Only Modi knows what he8217;s doing and what he wants to do, not anybody else,8217;8217; a senior BJP leader said. Another said: 8216;8216;Keshubhai Patel was different. He listened to ministers, senior officers and valued their suggestions.8217;8217; Modi reportedly doesn8217;t consult ministers, not even on their departmental matters.
Minister of State for Home Gordhan Zadaphia learnt it the hard way. Modi sidelined him after K.P.S. Gill took over as his security adviser. Zadaphia was not consulted on transfers. Worse still, he was introduced to Gill the day he left the state.
Pandya earned Modi8217;s displeasure when he refused to vacate Ellisbridge seat for him. Twice, Modi skipped meetings as Pandya was there. Last week, Modi pushed Rana to serve a notice on Pandya, asking him if he had deposed before an inquiry panel on the violence.
Reportedly, several party MPs and ministers have complained to Deputy PM L.K. Advani through a Union minister. They have urged him to tell Modi to work along with others, now that the Assembly polls are close. A minister said: 8216;8216;We have stood by him all along. He is the CM and should realise he has to lead the party to victory. So he has to work in coordination with others.8217;8217;
The growing influence of a coterie too is undermining Modi8217;s standing. Urban Development Minister I.K. Jadeja, Agriculture Minister Purshottam Rupala, Vijay Rupani, and MLA Amit Shah are close to Modi and he gives the impression they are the only ones he trusts. Modi8217;s attempts to bring back rebels like Dattaji Chirandas and Narsinh Padiyar have also displeased many.
