Modi 'rewards' BJP ex-rebels

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday 'rewarded' several BJP leaders, who had once sided with his bete noire ex-CM Keshubhai Patel, with government postings. The most surprising is the induction of former MP Vallabh Kathiria, who was Union minister in the NDA government but later became one of the main campaigners against Modi. Kathiria was made chairman of the Gujarat Go Seva Ayog, one of the smallest state-run boards with little importance.

Kathiria was suspended from the BJP but was re-inducted after he apologised. He was one of the chief managers of the rebel rally in 2007, organized in association with Congress, at Rajkot. Gordhan Zadaphia, who heads the Mahagujarat Janata Party (MJP), which consists mainly of BJP rebels, said Kathiria's induction is "definitely a demotion for a man who once was Union minister handling portfolios like heavy industry and human resource development."

Another former rebel, Mahendra Trivedi, has been made chairman of the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board, which is responsible for overseeing the management of all major temples, including Somnath, Dwarka and Ambaji. Trivedi was part of the rebel coterie headed by another ex-CM Suresh Mehta, which at a later stage joined hands with Keshubhai Patel in his fight against Modi. Trivedi had served as minister of state for home and culture in two terms under Keshubhai Patel.

A third rebel, Kaushik Patel, who was not so active openly but worked as background man organising things for the rebels, has been made executive chairman of the Twenty Point Programme implementation committee, a defunct body. Patel has worked as Cabinet minister for energy and revenue in the state government.

Two other earlier rebels who have been inducted in the government are Mansukh Mandavia and Punam Makwana. If Mandavia has been made chairman of Gujarat Agro-Industries Corporation, which is on the verge of being closed down, Makwana is the new chairman of the Bechar Swami Ati Pacchat Vikas Board, a small agency.

Several well-known pro-Modi men who were out of job have also been awarded. Ex-minister Bhuprendrasinh Chudasma has been made vice-chairman of the Gujarat Planning State Board, almost non-existent body. Jayanti Barot, former Rajya Sabha MP, has been made chairman of the Gujarat Housing Construction Board. Purshottam Bhojani, a Saurashtra-based businessman and BJP leader, is chairman of the Jamnagar Urban Development Corporation.

R-Day parade: NDA states' floats go for harmony theme

R-Day parade: NDA states' floats go for harmony theme

NEW DELHI: Whether it was Narendra Modi's Gujarat or Nitish Kumar's Bihar, the themes for the tableaux of NDA-ruled states hogged the attention during the Republic Day parade here on Wednesday.

The message of "peace and communal harmony" ran as the common thread in the themes displayed by the states, making many to wonder whether it was just a mere coincidence.

The Narendra Modi government took time off with its pet pursuit of flaunting growth figures to choose a tableau based on Lord Buddha's message of peace and tolerance. The pride of place given to the chant of "Budham saranam gacchhami" naturally led some to suspect whether it was par for Modi's attempt to shed the "communal" tag. Especially because Gujarat was not among the centres of Buddhism when the faith flourished in India.

Asked about the choice, Modi told TOI, "Violence and terror has become a global menace. If we want to see a better India we need peace first. We always try to maintain peace in our state, but we are struggling for the nation as Gujarat is a part of this Akhand Bharat."

The thought almost echoed what Bihar CM had to say as to why the state chose to showcase the shrine of the 16th century Sufi saint Sharfuddin Yahiya Maneri on the Rajpath. The JD(U) leader, who ensured that Modi didn't get to campaign in Bihar, told TOI, "Hazrat Maneri syombolises the spirit of religious tolerance, peace and education. He is the real representative of what has been the ethos of Bihar through centuries," adding, "our tableau celebrated the message of peace and accommodation that sufis like Hazrat Maneri and others have spread."

Doubts that there could be a pattern to the Republic Day offerings of the NDA states could have only been strengthened by Karnataka. The BJP-ruled state --reputed for its IT prowess -- chose to display its Muslim artisans known for their Bidri work. The motif is named after its place of origin -- Bidar district -- and the art form had travelled from Persia in the 11th century during the time of Sultan Ahmed Shah. It fused with local art forms to give rise to a craft that is largely practised by Muslim artisans. CM B S Yeddyurappa told TOI, "We want to say the state is proud of its art and artisans, supports it workers, its poor, irrespective of their caste and community."

His officials spoke in the same vein. "Art for integrity, promotion of secular and cultural heritage of Karnataka through fine arts," they explained.

BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh had traditional tribal motifs -- known as Bag print on textiles -- on show. Originating from cave paintings in the state, Bag prints trace their origin to Dhar district, and Muslim artisans are the mainstay for it. State officials said, "the idea behind the tableau was to take the state's heritage to the national and international level."

Gujarat dream business destination for

Gujarat dream business destination for entrepreneurs: Advani

NEW DELHI: Showering praises on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for making the state a dream destination for entrepreneurs , senior BJP leader L K Advani today said the national scenario was "really depressing".

Advani said "the achievements" in Gujarat have a lot to do with Modi's "astounding success" in making the state's administration effectively curb red tape and corruption.

"On the national level, the scene is really depressing," he said in his blog referring to a recent report titled "India slips to No 87 in Transparency Corruption Index" and incidents of corruption hitting the nation.

"Our country has come to be known all over the world as among the most corrupt countries of the world," he said in the blog written in the context of Republic Day.

Advani also referred to the issue of food inflation and fuel price hike that has caused "extreme distress and depression" to the people.

"In contrast one feels proud to hear the reports that have been coming from Gujarat lately," the veteran BJP leader said.

He said that Modi could successfully attract entrepreneurs, Indian as well as foreign "very naturally" to Gujarat.

"Since 2003, every alternate year, Gujarat has been holding a Vibrant Gujarat programme. Four programmes have been held till now-in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

"This year's Vibrant Gujarat attracted 101 countries, and about 1400 foreign delegates. MoUs worth 21 billion dollars, that is, roughly, one third of India's GDP were signed in two days flat," Advani wrote in his blog.