As per the Indian Express, the Gujarat Government is
appealing the trial court’s verdict in the Naroda Patiya case; the verdict that
convicted ex-Modi confidante (and minister in his government) Maya Kodnani. The
appeal is not for relief and a retrial. But for enhancing the punishment meted out to her – from the 28 years of
life imprisonment she was awarded to death. This is the fate that awaits those
who befriend Modi. But what’s so surprising in this development? Kodnani is
only the last one to realize this bitter truth. But by no means is she the
first one to have realized this.
She could have learnt this reality from Haren Pandya’s
family. After all, Haren Pandya was meted out a worse treatment, allegedly at
Modi’s behest. Pandya was the rising star in the BJP; charismatic, dynamic and
young. In fact, he was Modi’s buddy, running the crucial Home department at the
time that Godhra happened. Unfortunately, Modi felt insecure about Pandya’s
growing clout, and tried to sideline him. Which led Pandya to start croaking in
front of the judicial panel set up to investigate the post-Godhra riots. That would
have been a direct threat to Modi, for everyone knows exactly what role Modi
played in those riots. Pandya was eventually silenced, murdered in suspicious
circumstances. An elaborate effort was made to pin the blame on some muslims
from Hyderabad (now what’s surprising in this????). The poor men were even
convicted for something they didn’t do. It was only later when an independent
probe looked at the evidence (no blood spatter in the car – so Pandya was not
shot there; one bullet had gone upwards from the groin area, not downwards as
it should have if the bullet were fired from the car’s open window as claimed)
that they were released. Haren Pandya paid for his friendship with his life. And
now Kodnani may well do so in the same way.
Advani was luckier. He only lost Modi’s benevolent favor. Initially
a mentor of Modi, he later became dependent on him for his electoral seat
(Gandhinagar). Modi’s ambitions of becoming PM made him see Advani as a
competitor; and suddenly the equation changed. Modi even refused to flag off
Advani’s latest rath yatra as a way of punishing Advani. Eventually Advani had
to count on Nitish Kumar. Not surprising then that Nitish is today opposing
Modi tooth and nail but is happy to support Advani for PMship. Anyways, the
point here is that Advani became an obstacle for Modi, and Modi found a good
way to finish Advani’s career off. If it hadn’t been for his stature, Advani
would have been written off by now.
There is also widespread speculation that the one who leaked
all the financial details of Gadkari’s illegal businesses was Modi himself. Again,
nothing has been, or even can be proved, but those who know, know.
What was Maya Kodnani’s fault? She may have been the foot
soldier who indulged in gruesome acts of violence in Naroda Patiya. But she
could hardly have acted alone. Here was an “efficient” CM who must have been
directing the state police machinery to supposedly control the violence. Surely
he could have instructed his partymen to maintain calm and peace. If Kodnani
had been told that, would she have still continued with her misdeeds? No way. On
the contrary, Kodnani was brazen in the way she wielded a sword and attacked
poor and helpless muslims in her constituency. Clearly, she had the “blessings”
of her CM.
For her to be now junked by Modi in this way must hurt. Modi
is driven by his own interests. In his desire to be seen as secular, he must
have found merit in junking his colleague. After all, this will give him the
talking points to neutralize those who accuse him of shielding the perpetrated of
the crime. It will to some extent blunt Nitish Kumar’s charge against him. Modi
supporters can be expected on TV panels tonight, promoting Modi’s cause of
being “impartial”, and punishing “all those who are guilty”, irrespective of
whether they belong to his party or not. Except of course for himself. For
Modi, Kodnani is a mere “pawn” in the elaborate battle that is being fought. Kodnani
is a sacrifice worth being made. In the larger battle, Kodnani is an irritant. Even
an irritant offers an opportunity to the savvy politician. Modi always realized
that. Kodnani is only now realizing it.
Ditto the other man who calls himself Bajrangi. Even his
colorful and suggestive name couldn’t give him protection from the aspirations
of Modi. The man – for whom no one should have sympathy but who deserves better
than this – will now repent having sided with Modi. Like Haren Pandya’s family
does. And like Advani and Kodnani no doubt do too.
The more the spotlight shines on Modi, the more we get to
see his true colors. Modi is desperate to change the dialogue, and talk of
development. Already, he is being countered there, being branded “feku” (gas
bag). Modi’s PR driven push for PMship is putting off not only the party’s
allies (the relationship with JD(U) is all but over), but also upsetting many
in his own party. Advani and Sushma Swaraj are keeping quiet for now; but this
to me, looks like the proverbial calm before the storm. The Congress needn’t
worry about Modi. His own party and allies will finish him off.
The real truth is that Modi is untrustworthy as a
friend. Even dangerous. Haren Pandya, Advani and now Maya Kodnani have all experienced
what it means to be Modi’s friend. Amit Shah and Arun Jaitley could well be
next in line. Let time pass. The truth – the real truth – will become well
established….
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