POPE NARENDRA I If India were to ever have a Pope, Narendra Modi would fit the role perfectly.

This was the overarching impression I got after witnessing his bravura performance during the farcical fast meant to put him on the fast track to the Premiership of India. Not only did he sermonize with a beatific smile permanently plastered on his visage, every word was uttered with a cadence that was meant to convey a blessing on all those fortunate enough to bask in his aura. Modi is a master of manipulating words and phrases to produce the maximum impact. Consider this Zen moment during the 3-day extravaganza. Stretching out his arm with Stalinesque hauteur, he solemnly admitted that he had done nothing for the minority. Just as a rapt audience including several thousand television viewers - waited in rapt attention for the long awaited apology, he delivered the punch line. He had done nothing for the majority community either. All his munificence was for the 6 crore Gujaratis of his state. In that one moment, he proclaimed his sainthood. It was theatre at its most magnificent. What Modi enacted was not so much a fast as a superbly managed coronation. Hence you saw the BJP Cardinals dutifully lined up at his side on the stage with suitably overawed expressions on their faces. Even political colleagues with Prime Ministerial ambitions had been impressively outmaneuvered and beholden to publicly acknowledge that the Crown Prince had already been anointed by himself. The turbaned king is all but dead. Long live the King! More evidence of inspired stage management was provided by the presence of a few dozen token Muslims, including some beaming Bohri ladies, who had been transported to the venue with the promise of free food and were content to play along. Hey, they were going to sit in airconditioned comfort and be on television too: all in all, not a bad deal. And dont forget the grand finale where Modi broke his fast by accepting mini-sips of lemon juice from representatives of multiple communities. Did you notice Modis demeanour? It was that of an emperor accepting homage from his subjects. Honestly, the man scares me. He scares me not because he is demonic or ruthless, but because he is a megalomaniac and an accomplished actor who is willing to play any role to reach his ultimate objective. I am afraid of what will result when he does achieve absolute power: when the mask is finally discarded. You may argue that no individual can achieve ultimate power in a democracy? Really? What is happening in Gujarat? The only protestors are Muslims, who are powerless and can therefore be dismissed as a necessary nuisance. For sure, there are crusaders like Teesta Setalvad and Mallika Sarabhai who have been appealing to the conscience of ordinary Gujaratis for the past ten years, but they have met with almost negligible success. The people of Gujarat, particularly the Hindus, love their Narendrabhai. He builds splendid roads; he provides employment and puts more money in their pockets. It is the same contract that the recent leaders of totalitarian China have made with their citizens. We will keep you well stocked with roti, kapda and makaan. In return,

you are expected to just enjoy it and dont make a noise about democracy, people power and such nonsense. There is no doubt that Modis USP is the development agenda; and that he is streets above his rivals on this issue. He is so successful not because he is a management genius, but because he is personally incorruptible, or appears to be. This is where he scores over most of his ministerial colleagues. Gujarat has achieved impressive growth because Modi has slashed the licences and permissions required to award government contracts or set up new industries. His counterparts in other states are unwilling or unable to emulate him because, after all, the kickbacks emanating from granting licences and permits are their chief source of unaccounted wealth. This is all very well, but I cannot help comparing Modi to Mussolini or Hitler. Early in their career, they were greatly admired by their citizens for bring order out of chaos in their respective countries. Trains ran on time, autobahns were built and the hitherto rampant inflation was brought under control. But then they acquired absolute power; and we all know the aftermath. Modi has a similar autocratic bent. There is not a trace of humility or compassion in that man. He rules his state with an iron fist; and he gets away with it because he is the undisputed boss of the single party that has power in Gujarat. What will happen if and when he becomes Prime Minister? India will probably prosper even more, economically and developmentally. But what will the people have to give up in exchange? I cannot help but feel apprehensive.