Narendra Modi’s ‘hunkar’ rally in Patna was marred by bomb blasts, however minor. With Nitish Kumar pitted against him, Bihar would be a key issue in his run for the Prime Ministership in 2014. The Bihar Chief Minister has dissolved his association with the NDA with Modi as its leader. Modi has described his rally as the foundation of a new history. There was a shift in his speech. For the first time, Modi addressed Muslims and there was not a whisper of his Hindutva orientation. He did not apologize for the 2002 massacre in Ahmedabad but put the stress on prosperity asking for a concerted fight against poverty by both Hindus and Muslims. Communal differences were condemned. He said that sops to the minority meant nothing unless there was development. For instance, the Haj subsidy to Bihar Muslims was twice the amount in Gujarat but few Muslims in Bihar had access to it. He also emphasized that Muslim-dominated Bharuch and Kutch were the hubs of economic activity in his state.
Narendra Modi has deftly related the minority issue to development. It is not merely a façade of secularism. The Congress and other parties continue to look upon the issue as a subject of fear and insecurity. Rahul Gandhi’s minorityism causes only anxiety rather than hope. Modi’s speech tried to reassure voters and potential allies. Of course, one may see a stench of hypocrisy in it. But it should be a lesson to other parties. The Congress is weakened by its association with tainted RJD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav. The first ever terror attack in Patna, killing five people and injuring many, targeted Modi’s rally. Manmohan Singh has condemned the blasts and Nitish Kumar has sought to rule out a political connection. However, Modi’s speech defying the attack has definitely heightened his image.