Modi becomes Krishna to take on rebels

If BJP’s Vasundhara Raje can be shown as a goddess, can the party’s Hindutva mascot Narendra Modi be far behind?

If BJP’s Vasundhara Raje can be shown as a goddess, can the party’s Hindutva mascot Narendra Modi be far behind? As Gujarat goes to the polls later this year, a poster has cropped up showing Modi as Krishna, carrying the Sudarshan Chakra, and guiding State Energy Minister Saurabh Patel, depicted as Arjun.

The poster also shows state party chief Purushottam Rupala standing besides the minister, up against the army of Keshubhai Patel and his rebels, painted in one corner as the Kauravas! The allegory to the Mahabharata is complete with the shloka “Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya” painted just above Modi.

That the picture is meant for the elections is clear from the fact that the Gujarat Assembly is shown in the background. With the opposition Congress missing from the enemy ranks, the picture could not have been more loaded with political meaning. Observers say it is a planned attempt by the Modi camp to show that if the BJP loses in the ensuing polls, it would be the work of insiders.

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As Keshubhai stands with a bow and arrow in hands, party MPs Kashiram Rana, Vallabh Kathiria and Somabhai Patel stare on along with suspended MLAs Gordhan Zadaphia, Bavku Unghad, Bechar Bhadani and others.

The poster was presented as a memento by BJP workers to minister Patel at a party function held in Valabhipur town to mark his 50th birthday on Monday. Modi was also present.

Those who presented the portrait also have their names inscribed below. One of them, Ramji Sutharia, a diamond merchant from Surat, refused to comment.

Patel, however, denies having received the portrait. “Anyone can do this on a computer these days. I would rather not comment more than that I have not received it. For me what is important is that over a thousand people donated blood,” he said.

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The Indian Express contacted the poster maker in Amreli town, Vitthal Bamrolia, who confirmed that he made it five days ago as per descriptions given by some businessmen from Surat. “I received the order and I made a single copy,” Bamrolia said, before adding that he has been asked not to speak about the poster.

Rebel leader Zadaphia said it was a disrespect of the gods if the portrait has really been made. “It is a misuse of gods for someone’s personal ambitions. Even if some enthusiast did it, the minister should not have accepted it,” he said.

“This has been done at the behest of the Chief Minister’s propaganda machine which is working overtime now. Earlier it was Ram, then he modeled himself on Sardar Patel, and now Krishna. We demand an immediate apology from Modi,” said Leader of Opposition Arjun Modhwadia.