Fire Proof Modi

THE PM-chants began at the victory speech on December 20 and have only got shriller depending on the audience. The most dramatic must have been at the Jaipur venue of an all Congress social affair – the wedding of Governor Kamla’s grand daughter. But the 48-hours of February 6-7 have made Narendra Modi burn-proof against the fires that had till only sometime ago threatened to engulf his career. Well, almost.

I am talking about the triad of events during this period - the clamour at Allahabad, soft-launch at SRCC, and the European Union (EU) disclosure of ending Modi’s isolation. And the fires am talking about are those of the judicial procedures related to riots and encounters going on in various courts.

Till before this period Modi’s national role was a matter of political speculation, journalistic supposition, and general conjecture. With the SRCC speech, the diplomatic acceptability, and the Sangh blessings it has become an existing reality, overnight. Purely because of the broth around his name, touching Modi can easily get branded as a conspiracy now.

The way national media treated the three events, it can be safely concluded that “Jolt-to-Modi” headlines could become a restrained, if not totally shunned habit very soon. Like the EU, the Delhi media has only started to learn to live with Modi. It might take a while but it would happen. Politically, the 48-hours have cemented a scenario most parties were already anticipating.

And that brings me to the conclusion. From here on, no one can stop Modi from becoming the Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP (am not saying NDA yet). And, while it can be dangerous in politics to stick your neck out, let me wager: Modi’s Agni Pariksha might not be over yet, but he can take it easy. The fires are not going to singe him any more.