After emerging as NDA's prime ministerial nominee, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi embarked on a spirited campaign for 2014 Lok Sabha elections creating political enthusiasm in this business-oriented state.
However, the shadow of the 2002 riots did not leave Modi as a protest petition was filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of Congress MP Eshan Jafri killed in that violence, against clean chit given to him by Supreme Court-appointed SIT for the riots and encounter investigations led to arrest of senior police officers.
The Modi government appointed a two-member commission after alleged snooping of a woman by state security agency came to light while the post of Lokayukta was filled after a decade, just ahead of next year's general elections.
Rape cases against controversial self-styled godman Asaram Bapu and his son Narayan Sai by two Surat-based sisters and their subsequent arrests also grabbed the headlines along with an attempt to break the Sabarmati Jail by 2008 Ahmedabad blast accused by digging a 214 feet long tunnel.
After his third consecutive victory in Gujarat in December 2012 state elections, Modi's focus was on the country's biggest job but the path seemed difficult as he had to get acceptances from his party, from the coalition --National Democratic Alliance-- and finally from the people.
Making smart moves and with the backing of RSS and party chief Rajnath Singh, he managed to overcome his opponents within BJP.
Modi was first incorporated as a member of the BJP's parliamentary board in March. He was elevated as campaign committee chief in June which led to resignation by L K Advani from all party posts and breaking away of JD(U) from NDA. Advani later withdrew the resignation.
On September 13, BJP's parliamentary board declared Modi as a prime ministerial candidate of NDA amid opposition by Advani. However, Advani later reconciled to that fact and had even time and again praised Modi.
Modi's elevation has aroused much enthusiasm about politics among the business-oriented Gujarati community who are hoping that this dream would be fulfilled.
However, the shadow of the 2002 riots did not leave Modi as a protest petition was filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of Congress MP Eshan Jafri killed in that violence, against clean chit given to him by Supreme Court-appointed SIT for the riots and encounter investigations led to arrest of senior police officers.
The Modi government appointed a two-member commission after alleged snooping of a woman by state security agency came to light while the post of Lokayukta was filled after a decade, just ahead of next year's general elections.
Rape cases against controversial self-styled godman Asaram Bapu and his son Narayan Sai by two Surat-based sisters and their subsequent arrests also grabbed the headlines along with an attempt to break the Sabarmati Jail by 2008 Ahmedabad blast accused by digging a 214 feet long tunnel.
After his third consecutive victory in Gujarat in December 2012 state elections, Modi's focus was on the country's biggest job but the path seemed difficult as he had to get acceptances from his party, from the coalition --National Democratic Alliance-- and finally from the people.
Making smart moves and with the backing of RSS and party chief Rajnath Singh, he managed to overcome his opponents within BJP.
Modi was first incorporated as a member of the BJP's parliamentary board in March. He was elevated as campaign committee chief in June which led to resignation by L K Advani from all party posts and breaking away of JD(U) from NDA. Advani later withdrew the resignation.
On September 13, BJP's parliamentary board declared Modi as a prime ministerial candidate of NDA amid opposition by Advani. However, Advani later reconciled to that fact and had even time and again praised Modi.
Modi's elevation has aroused much enthusiasm about politics among the business-oriented Gujarati community who are hoping that this dream would be fulfilled.
