SHAH OF PARTY TAKES FORWARD MODI’S VISION

NEWDELHI:BJP president Amit Shah’s personal website has two interesting sections – “Critic” and “The Lighter Side”. The two cover the negative coverage and cartoons on him. Shah’s interaction with the media might be limited compared to his predecessor’s but every word written or said on him is watched more closely than before.

Critics attribute his rise in the BJP to his proximity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But his grit, grind and labour has as much to contribute to his No 2 position in the party today.

Since becoming the party chief in July 2014, Shah visited 350 of 707 districts in the country and addressed about 600 public meetings. The 110-day national tour he has undertaken is one such event to expand BJP’s reach , with each visit contributing to his standing as a national leader with popular appeal. His role, for now, is to execute Modi’s vision for the party and the country and it’s unlikely to change in near future.

Shah has proved his mettle as a master poll strategist and has kept the party organisation fighting fit but his own popularity has not been tested yet. An increasing demand for public meetings by BJP candidates reflect his evolution from a backroom tactician to one who can draw crowds as well, say insiders.

Sanjay Kumar, director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, however, believes that Shah’s ‘charisma’ works only in PM’s company. “The BJP has been winning election after election and most of the credit is being given to Amit Shah, but it would be wrong to believe that he has emerged as a mass leader. He may have emerged as a good strategist but not a mass leader.”