Opinion Modi at 100
BJP spokesperson M.J. Akbar has lauded “the roadmap for economic development and promotion of moral values among the people prepared by PM”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Source: PTI)
Commenting on 100 days of Narendra Modi’s government at the Centre, Jamaat-e-Islami’s bi-weekly Daawat (September 4) writes: “The results of the recent by-elections for some state assemblies clearly show that the political situation and people’s thinking are changing. Following many shocks, the party [BJP] is being seen going on the path of Hindutva and communalism…” Noted journalist and writer, Hasan Kamal, in his column in Rashtriya Sahara (August 30), asked, “Is Narendra Modi’s magic waning?” “Whatever Mohan Bhagwat may say, it is clear that the BJP’s victory in parliamentary elections was entirely because of Narendra Modi’s agenda. The people had made Modi’s development [agenda] victorious, and not the Hindutva of RSS… Anger against the Congress is declining after it was given a severe punishment. The election results in Uttarakhand are an indication of this.”
Senior journalist and BJP spokesperson M.J. Akbar, in his column in the same paper (September 1), has lauded “the roadmap for economic development and promotion of moral values among the people prepared by the prime minister”. Akbar writes: “A speedy race for the country’s development has started… The rate of growth has already taken a positive direction, reaching 5.7 per cent during April-June 2014, highest as compared to the position during last many years… We have observed the beauty of the onset of dawn. Now, perhaps, the magnificence of the morning can be visualised”.
The al-Qaeda threat
The daily Roznama Khabrein, in its editorial on September 6, writes: “Following the killing of Osama Bin Laden, al-Qaeda’s present chief, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, has issued a video [announcing the opening of its branch in the Indian subcontinent]. Many questions regarding its timing and tenor have arisen. Even though al-Qaeda is a dying organisation and there is no need to be scared of its threats, yet precautionary measures are necessary, as has been resolved by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.” It adds: “These type of acts cannot be tolerated and India is absolutely capable of dealing with such types of possible dangers. This video proves that after the emergence of the ISIS, which is much crueler, al-Qaeda, has been isolated… At the same time there is merit in the observations of some analysts that this has, in fact, been done with the involvement of the Pakistani army and the ISI. The army and the ISI are not happy with the policies of Nawaz Sharif and want to weaken him. His visit to India was also not liked by them, and the recent attempts at a democratic rebellion in that country should also be seen in this light.”
According to the chief of Darul Uloom Deoband, Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, “the announcement of the al-Qaeda chief is in no way based on friendship with Muslims. But communal elements can harm Muslims on the pretext of the new al-Qaeda video. Indian Muslims have complete faith in the Constitution and the judiciary. Therefore, it is wrong to say that al-Qaeda can influence Gujarat, Assam or other riot-affected areas.”
Delhi Puzzle
The uncertainty over the formation of a government in Delhi continues, with the Supreme Court giving another month for efforts in this direction. Meanwhile, the sting operation performed by the AAP on the vice president of the BJP’s state unit has caused confusion in the party. Rashtriya Sahara, in its editorial on September 10, writes: “It would be premature to say anything now about what effect the AAP’s sting operation will have on government formation in Delhi, to what extent the BJP’s alleged attempts at horse trading will be reined in. But there is no doubt that the manner in which BJP leaders are giving statements, showing utter confusion on this matter, indicates that something is wrong…”
Aziz-ul-Hind, edited by Aziz Burney, in its editorial on the same day, writes: “The Aam Aadmi Party has to go through these difficult times as punishment for decisions taken in a hurry. So it is now using all the tricks it can to keep the BJP from power.”
Compiled by Seema Chishti
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