Click to play videoRatan Tata's dream car Nano has driven all the way from the east to the west. Singur's loss became Sanand's gain on Tuesday when Tata Motors relocated its small car project to Gujarat at an investment of Rs 2,000 crore.
Many say it’s a coup of sorts for Narendra Modi, as the move coincides with him marking seven years of holding Gujarat Chief Minister’s office.
So is Modi’s image makeover now complete? That was the second topic discussed on this episode of The Weekend Edition.
On the panel to discuss the issue were Gujarat Health Minister Jai Narayan Vyas and social scientist Dr Tridip Suhrud.
Describing Tata’s announcement as the “most befitting gift” for the completion of seven years of chief ministerialship, Vyas said that it would silence all critics of Modi.
“Godhra,” Vyas said, “was a false propaganda which was written to paint Mr Modi in a bad light. I think with this his critics have fallen flat on the ground. Even someone like Ratan Tata says that you’re stupid if you’re not in Gujarat.”
Tridip Suhrud, however, said that Ratan Tata’s statement does not necessarily legitimise Modi and his leadership.
“When Tata says if you don’t invest in Gujarat you’re stupid, I think he’s referring to a larger consensus in Gujarat about what constitutes development, Gujarat’s approach to industrialisation and the preparedness of the small entrepreneur to contend with a large corporation. So I would like to see this as a comment on people of Gujarat.”
Suhrud added that validation in one area of policy doesn’t really translate into legitimisation of all areas.
Strongly contending that point, Vyas asserted that when a team wins its captain must be credited for it.
“I have been fortunate to be associated with Gujarat’s industrial development for well over three decades now. I can tell you that one of the factors that made entrepreneurs come to Gujarat was good governance. Seven years is not a small period where you can discount all Modi’s efforts and say that everything has come by the way of a windfall or an accident,” he said.
“Mr Modi’s governance has imbibed the faith and confidence in state’s machinery and its capability to deliver,” he added.
Suhrud replied, “I think there is some merit in what the minister is saying but the aspect of good governance also has to been seen in the light of the fact that there has been a widespread consensus in Gujarat — in political parties and society — as to what constitutes development and what are the ways by which we’ll achieve it. I think good governance has played a good role in creating an industry-friendly environment and build a reputation of resolving industrial disputes in a non-conflicting situation.”
Talking about critics sharp-focussing in Godhra, Suhrud said that the only way to resolve it and move forward was through a judicial process which is fair and impartial. “Till then,” he said, “the society and the government will not be able to move forward.”
Tatas have been given land for Nano but what about the victims of Gulbarg society, who lost their land during the riots? Isn’t it the government’s job to provide them with housing?
Vyas defended that nobody can be denied justice in a democratic country where the judiciary has its own role to play.
He added, “To interpret incidences like these (Gulbarg society) in isolation is taking things too far. Nobody denies anything which is legitimately due.”
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