Narendra Modi becomes India Inc poster boy

NEW DELHI | Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:17pm IST

The Supreme Court accused his government of turning a blind eye to the 2002 riots, and he was denied a visa to the United States in 2005.

But for executives, many of them major funders of national parties, Modi offers an ease of doing business in Gujarat lacking in many other states.

"In Gujarat all we have to deal with is normal business risk," said Sandeep Shah, managing director of HBS Realtors.

He said India's normal problems -- slow paper work and demands for bribes -- were almost non-existent in Gujarat.

The BJP has welcomed the two industrialists' statements. BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy called it "euphoric rhetoric".

"It is a vindication of all BJP chief ministers who have created business-friendly states."

Shah, who attended the conference, said the statements did not reflect support for the BJP as much as individual support for Modi.

The calls may have sparked unease within the BJP, with fears Modi could overshadow Advani, who at 81 may lack Modi's dynamism.

Some say it is unlikely Modi wants to be prime minister now. He is reported to be preparing huge celebrations in 2010 for the 50th anniversary of the formation of Gujarat state, which he could use to propel his national image.

"Most of the BJP believe Modi is the successor but nobody wants to derail the electoral campaign with three months to go," said Swapan Dasgupta, a political analyst with ties to the BJP.