Opinion Narendra Modi needs a bit of Shivraj Singh,Raman Singh

If Modi,who didn’t tom-tom his government — having done enough of the same in his recent speech at a Delhi college — had a more national outlook,Singh highlighted his ambitious food guarantee law that guarantees even salt (probably made in Gujarat). Chouhan pointed out that Madhya Pradesh had a welfare scheme for every weaker section (barber,potter,shoeshine boys,women,young,old etc).

Compared to Modi’s persistent theme of minimal government,Singh and Chouhan almost came across as benign Communists. But stark as the difference was,it only stemmed from the disparate socio-economic profiles of the states they lead.

The Tendulkar methodology for 2009-10 puts 48.7 per cent population below poverty line in Chhattisgarh and 36.7 per cent in Madhya Pradesh. At 23 per cent,Gujarat’s numbers are better than the national average (29.8). Likewise,Gujarat is highly urbanised (42.58 per cent of the population) while urbanisation in Chhattisgarh (23.24) and Madhya Pradesh (27.63) is below the national average (31.16).

Besides,Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are constrained by their landlocked geographical location,while coastal Gujarat is an attractive trade and investment destination.

These different features beget different expectations and consequently different policy responses from their leaders.

However,while Chouhan and Singh appeared eager to replicate a bit of vibrant Gujarat in their respective states,Modi has hesitated to demonstrate any appreciation for the unique challenges faced by his two counterparts.

In the current game of upmanship within the BJP,his disregard for difficulties of differently placed states speaks of all that’s wrong with the politics of personality cult building up around Modi.

Ravish is an assistant editor based in Delhi

ravish.tiwari@expressindia.com