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Home  » News » BJP storms into House, Modi relaxes at home

BJP storms into House, Modi relaxes at home

By Savera R Someshwar in Gandhinagar
December 23, 2007 12:48 IST
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Except for the television channel's Outdoor Broadcast vans and a smattering of security personnel, you could easily miss the home of the most-sought-after man in Gujarat.

The chief minister's home seems to be slumbering peacefully in its verdant surroundings in the state capital, Gandhinagar. No one seems to know what the man who has single-handedly charted the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in Gujarat is doing right now.

"It has been like this since morning," says a mediaperson, who has been here since 7.30 am. "A sweeper came and cleaned the road, the security detail changed and that's about all the excitement that we've seen here."

Modi is expected to leave his home to join the celebrations at the BJP headquarters in Khanpur, central Ahmedabad. There is speculation he will make pit stops to thank the common man -- the people who have voted him to power.

"There is a reason why Modi will win," says Nahar Singh, who works as a driver and been living in Ahmedabad for over a decade.

"He has created peace here. Today, a Hindu can walk through a Muslim-dominated area without fear; he knows no one will dare to touch him. That was not the case a few years ago. Modi has brought in peace and security."

BJP leaders are not as confident of victory in Muslim-dominated areas. "The margin of victory or loss will be little -- 1,500 to 2,000 votes," says Vijay Rupani, the state BJP general secretary.

The state BJP unit is clear that it is entirely a one-man show. In fact, they do not expect any of the party's national leaders to join in the celebrations, says state BJP spokesperson Yamal Vyas.

Will the maverick leader be content with another term in Gujarat or will he look at a bigger platform at the national level? Some say "we could well be waiting outside the house of the next prime minister or at the very least, deputy prime minister."

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Savera R Someshwar in Gandhinagar