By Rajeev Khanna, IANS
Rajkot : Modi masks are the latest craze in Gujarat, more so in politically crucial Saurashtra region. And like with everything involving Chief Minister Narendra Modi, it has sparked a row.
Modi supporters have made appearances at election rallies and public events wearing masks that depict the face of the firebrand leader. This happened even when Modi filed his nomination from Maninagar in Ahmedabad.
It is being said that the introduction of Modi masks goes to the credit of a large number of NRGs – Non-Resident Gujaratis – living in the US. A large number of NRGs are present in the state as the poll campaign reaches its peak. Gujarat goes to the polls Dec 11 and 16.
The BJP denies it is supplying Modi masks to its supporters as a part of the campaign kits being distributed around Saurashtra.
Nitin Bharadwaj, president of the Rajkot unit of the party, told IANS: “Such masks are not being supplied or circulated by us. They are being prepared and worn by the supporters of the chief minister, and it only goes to show how popular he is and how everyone wants to be a Narendra Modi.”
The Congress has chosen to ignore the issue of Modi masks. But its workers feel that it is nothing but another publicity stunt Modi is known for.
“It all boils down to the fact that there is no BJP in Gujarat. The sole identity for them is Modi,” said a Congress activist from Dhoraji.
However, some criticise the Congress for not having come up with something as creative to counter Modi’s popularity and the BJP campaign.
“Couldn’t they have managed a few masks of Mahatama Gandhi and made supporters do the rounds of the towns and villages wearing them,” asked a Muslim voter, Mohammad Shamim.
“This would have given a signal to the public that it is actually an electoral contest between the ideals of Modi and Gandhi and it is up to them whom to choose,” said Shamim from Wankaner area.
As if the controversy over the masks was not enough, the new Rs.2 rupee coin in circulation has also become a contentious issue.
The BJP has linked the design of the new coin – which has what seems like a cross – to the Congress-led government in New Delhi and to Sonia Gandhi, the party’s leader.
The Reserve Bank of India issued the coin this year. Modi, looking for a third term in office, has made a big issue out of the aluminium coin.
The row pertains to the replacement of India’s map on the old Rs.2 coins with what seems like a cross. The BJP is linking it to the Italian origins of Sonia Gandhi.
The coin in question had been designed by the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. The new design was to help the blind to differentiate it from Rs.1 coins.