Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

14 Sep, 2013

Hindutva Marches Ahead As Modi Named Prime Ministerial Candidate – CounterCurrents.org

Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat and a strong proponent of Hindutva was anointed by BJP as its candidate for Prime Minister in 2014 Indian Parliament elections. Conspicuously absent, was the BJP’s senior-most leader LK Advani, a hardline Hindutva adherent and another prime ministerial aspirant, who refused to support the decision, holding out till the end against all attempts to bring him on board. Other dissenters like Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi, grudgingly fell in line. Ms Swaraj sat next to Mr Modi and listened intently as he promised a BJP victory next year. Advani has reportedly told Rajnath Singh that today’s Modi announcement will plunge the BJP into “political disaster.”

The BJP’s allies Shiv Sena and Akali Dal have already thrown their weight behind Modi. However, a third important ally, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal-United, opted out of the alliance months ago, in opposition to Modi’s alleged involvement in the 2002 Gujarat riots and his Hindutva ideology.

Read the rest: Hindutva Marches Ahead As Modi Named Prime Ministerial Candidate.