Narendra Modi taunts Manmohan, pitches Gujarat growth model

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Narendra Modi taunts Manmohan, pitches Gujarat growth model
Clean Media Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 28 (CMC) On his first visit to Delhi after his latest victory in Gujarat, Narendra Modi skillfully used the platform of the National Development Council to reach out to a national audience and to showcase the Gujarat model of development. 

Speaking just after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acknowledged that the growth rate estimate had been further pruned to 8%, Modi declared that the dip was a reflection of poor leadership at the Centre and its "poverty of ideas", dismissing the UPA argument that the economic slowdown was caused by global factors. 

"It seems that there is no urgency or seriousness in tackling economic crises facing the country. There has been a virtual lack of direction in the macro-economic management of the country," Modi said, fully reflecting the confidence of someone who had just bested his opponents on his "double-digit growth" plank 

"Lack of leadership, poverty of ideas and policy paralysis at the Centre is taking the country towards negative growth. I have expressed concern on this," Modi later told reporters. 

His speech seemed to be pitched at an audience beyond Gujarat. The CM spoke of a national commission on the sharing of natural resources modelled along the lines of the Finance Commission and a smart grid to avoid largescale power shutdowns: a clear shift from the theme of "discrimination against Gujarat" which was his trope on such outings. 

While Modi has denied that he is looking for a role outside Gujarat, the BJP cadre seem to have no doubt that it is time he moved to Delhi. Hundreds of them gathered at the party headquarters to loudly declare their choice for who should be the party's prime ministerial candidate in 2014. Loud chants of "PM PM" greeted Modi when he arrived to be feted by party workers on his latest electoral triumph. 

The energy of the crowd was testimony to the pull that Modi has with the cadre, and should cause concern to other prime ministerial aspirants in the party who find comfort in the "collective leadership" mechanism. The supporters shouted "Desh ka neta kaisa jo, Narendra Modi jaisa ho", while posters proclaimed "Best PM Vajpayee, Next PM Narendra Modi". 

There were placards as well, referring to Modi's self-proclaimed aversion to leave Gujarat for Delhi. "Tie Modiji in Delhi by rope," said one, declaring the intent of the cadre. 

Party president Nitin Gadkari, already diminished because of the controversy over the funding of Purti group of companies, looked out of place as the adulating cadre made a beeline to shake hands with Modi. 

However, just as at the NDC, Modi remained hewed to his development theme, although unfettered by the protocol of the conclave of chief ministers, he was much more forthcoming in his opinion about the PM and the UPA. He said the UPA lacked the political will and vision for growth. "You neither have a plan, nor a vision nor political will for development," he said. 

Modi blamed the UPA for the climate of pessimism that he said had enveloped the country and then, as if to offer a sunny contrast, said Gujarat could give China a run for its money to be the new global hub for manufacturing. 

Sensex ends 94 points down

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Sensex ends 94 points down
Clean Media Correspondent

MUMBAI, DEC 28 (CMC) The Nifty and the Sensex closed marginally in the red on Thursday. Both the indices were in the green in the first half of the trading session before slipping into the red.

The Nifty closed at 5870, down 36 points while the Sensex closed at 19324, down 94 points.

“Despite the selling in some of the sectors, Nifty is still holding above 5850 level in near term, which is a positive indicator. Any positive news can lead to upward breakout of the range. Indecision shall be there till Nifty trades within this range. It is to be seen if Nifty sustains above 5900 level, as this will be deciding level for coming days,” said Rakesh Goyal -Sr VP Bonanza Portfolio.

Volatility was down 2.55 per cent and the volatility index India Vix closed at 13.74.

Bank of Baroda, Tata Motors, SBI, ONGC and Tata Motors were the top five Nifty gainers while Gail, Jindal Steel, BHEL, JP Associates and PowerGrid were the top losers.

Jayalalithaa ‘humiliated,’ walks out of NDC meeting

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Jayalalithaa ‘humiliated,’ walks out of NDC meeting
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 28 (CMC) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday walked out of the 57th meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) here, accusing the Centre of “stifling the voice of Chief Ministers,’’ “treating shabbily a constitutional authority” and “humiliating” them by ringing a bell during her speech.

“The voice of the CMs has been stifled. They were not allowed to speak freely. At the very beginning we were told that only 10 minutes will be allotted to each CM and after that a bell will ring. This is unheard of. This has never been the practice before,” she told journalists while coming out of the venue – Vigyan Bhavan.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said, “If this is the way they are going to treat the CMs, the Centre could stop calling such conferences and stop inviting them and we have got enough work back home.”

She had attended many conferences, including meetings of the NDC and CMs and such practices were never adopted before. “This is utter humiliation of a CM who has come all the way to Delhi to present the views of the State government, in the interest of the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu and in the national interest.”

The UPA government was showing discrimination. Those who supported the Centre were allowed to speak for 30 or 35 minutes and even more sometimes. “At the last conference that I attended, the Assam Chief Minister was allowed to speak for more than 35 minutes. It is impossible to convey the views of the State government in such a short period as 10 minutes,” she said.

The CMs were asked to come to Delhi to discuss the 12th Plan Document, which was so lengthy and encompassed so many subjects that it was practically impossible to convey everything a CM wanted to say in 10 minutes.

Ms. Jayalalithaa alleged that the treatment meted out to her was not fair. “This is not democracy. The NDC meeting had turned out to be an exercise in humiliation.”

Informed sources said she had hardly completed speaking from the 10th page of a 28-page speech copy when the bell was rung and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was conducting the proceedings, called the next speaker — Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy — to speak.

At this stage Ms. Jayalalithaa moved out of the hall along with State Finance Minister O. Pannerselvam, Chief Secretary Debendranath Sarangi and other officials. But she did not make any announcement about her protest in the hall.

Immediately after that she left for Chennai.

Sexist comment ‘dents’ President’s son

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Sexist comment ‘dents’ President’s son
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 27 (CMC) President Pranab Mukherjee’s son Abhijit Mukherjee on Thursday found himself in the thick of a controversy over his remarks that “dented and painted” women protested against the gang-rape in New Delhi.

Calling the anti-rape agitation a nautanki (drama), he said the women protesters were good looking but did not exactly look like students.

“Students walking the streets with candles... going to discotheques... our days as students were different. These people did not look like students to me”, Mr Mukherjee told a TV channel.

He also said that the agitators had little connection with ground realities.

Mr. Mukherjee’s remarks were quickly criticised by the political opposition as well as the civil society. His sister Sharmishtha Mukherjee responded saying she was shocked by his statement.

Apologising later, Mr Mukherjee said it was not his intention to either hurt or insult women. His remarks were taken out of context. He said the agitation was justified and the protesters wanted to press for action by the Delhi government.

Mr Mukherjee said that the administration, whether in New Delhi or Kolkata, needed to be firm and quick with the prosecution in such cases so that the culprits get the message that they will face action if they commit “such a heinous crime.” A recently elected MP, Mr. Mukherjee won the by-election for Jangipur in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district with a thin margin after his father vacated it on entering the presidential race.

Gang-rape victim continues to be critical

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Gang-rape victim continues to be critical
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 27 (CMC)  The condition of the 23-year-old victim of the gang rape in a bus in New Delhi continued to be critical after she was flown to a Singapore hospital on Wednesday.
“Prior to her arrival, she has already undergone three abdominal surgeries, and experienced a cardiac arrest in India,” Kelvin Loh, chief executive of Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital, said in a statement on Thursday evening.
“A multi-disciplinary team of specialists is taking care of her and doing everything possible to stabilize her condition,” the CEO said.
The patient had suffered a pulmonary embolism leading to a cardiac arrest and her infections were not yet contained, said an official of the Safdarjung hospital in Delhi, where she was being treated. The official declined to be named.
She remained unconscious on Wednesday before being shifted to Mount Elizabeth Hospital, known for its expertise in multi-organ transplants. The hospital is working closely with the Indian high commission in Singapore to provide the woman with the best medical attention.
On 16 December, the medical student was raped and brutally beaten up by six men in a moving bus while she was returning home with a male friend after watching a movie. All the six have been since arrested by the police.

The Modi enigma, the truth

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The Modi enigma
Clean Media Correspondent

Ahemdabad, Dec 27 (CMC) Narendra Modi’s swearing-in at Gandhinagar on Wednesday was not just a formal ceremony of inducting a newly elected leader as chief minister. It is no secret that the Gujarat chief minister nurses big national ambitions – the ambition of becoming the country’s prime minister. Wednesday was an occasion for Modi to demonstrate his political mobilisation skills to advance that ambition. His hat-trick of Assembly election victories provided him with an opportunity to establish a powerful political credential for national leadership role. There is no doubt today about Modi being the unquestioned leader of Gujarat – not just of the Gujarat BJP unit. That this has enhanced his stature even beyond Gujarat became evident on Wednesday as a galaxy of BJP leaders attended the oath-taking ceremony. Several leaders from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties too travelled to Gandhinagar for the occasion. Besides, a couple of non-NDA leaders like Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha and Om Prakash Chautala also showed up.

The line-up of leaders was impressive, no doubt. Symbolically, it was a political boost to Modi. But, beyond symbolism are some critical political realities on which a lot of issues remain as nebulous as ever before. The BJP is yet to take even the first step of projecting him as its prime ministerial candidate. No top leader from either the party or the RSS has acknowledged him as the natural choice for leadership in the wake of his thumping win last week. The party remains a deeply divided house on the leadership issue, and its top leaders are no closer accepting Modi for the leadership even after his third consecutive win in Gujarat.

If the BJP, being the NDA leader, cannot decide on Modi’s unstated national leadership claim it is highly premature to expect other NDA parties to spell out their positions on the issue. Why then raise questions about Bihar JD(U) strongman Nitish Kumar’s reservations about Modi’s national leadership credentials? Apart from internal rivalries, it is also true that the BJP leadership entertains serious doubts about Modi’s acceptability among existing and potential new partners required to make the NDA a credible contender for power in the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Even though Modi has consciously attempted an image makeover by projecting himself as a pro-reform, pro-development leader, the fact remains that at the national level his hardline Hindutva image endures.

Arjun Munda demands special status for Jharkhand

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Arjun Munda demands special status for Jharkhand
Clean Media Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 27 (CMC) Observing that 19 out of 24 districts in Jharkhand are affected by Naxalism, Chief Minister Arjun Munda today made a strong pitch for granting a special status to the tribal state along with a central package to effectively deal with its various problems. 

Addressing the 57th National Development Council ( NDC) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Munda said, "The state should be provided with a special central package, without which it will not be able to get rid of the problem of militancy." 

He said Naxalism in the state has affected development and has also led to loss of property and lives in the state. 

"In Jharkhand where 19 out of 24 districts are affected by militancy, a comprehensive dose of development is needed which will ensure basic necessities to the people who are already suffering from poverty," he said. 

Raising the demand for a special status for the state, Munda said, "Jharkhand fulfils all criteria to get the special status. The percentage of temporary houses in rural and urban areas is 19.4 per cent and 74.6 per cent respectively, which is more than those states which have been granted the special status." 

He also added that in the fields of drinking water and sanitation, human resource development, electricity and transport, Jharkhand is behind the states with special status. 

Supporting Integrated Action Plan (IAP) in its current format, Munda asked the Centre to allocate "special grants" for infrastructure development of districts selected under it. 

Stating that Jharkhand fulfils the minerals needs of entire country, Munda pointed out how mining has affected agriculture, leading to displacement of people and making them susceptible to join the Naxal activities.

Delhi gang-rape survivor 'Rani' flown to Singapore for treatment

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Delhi gang-rape survivor 'Rani' flown to Singapore for treatment
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 27 (CMC) The 23-year-old medical student, who has been fighting for her life in a Delhi hospital since she was raped by six men on a moving bus earlier this month, has been flown to Singapore for medical treatment.

Her parents are travelling with her doctors on a highly-advanced air ambulance. The government organised visas and passports for the patient and her family earlier today.

Sources say the hope is to arrange an organ transplant for her in Singapore, where she will be admitted at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Large parts of her intestines were removed as a result of the injuries from the monstrous attack she endured.

The student has been the focus of India's attention and prayers for several days.

For the first time today, doctors attending to Rani (NOT her real name) failed to share a medical bulletin on her condition, usually telecast live on news channels.

The student has left India amid seething public fury. 

Huge protests in Delhi over the weekend were scarred by outbursts of violence. A constable trying to control the crowd died in hospital yesterday. Confusion over whether he died as a result of his injuries created a new wave of tension.

The government, which has mishandled the protests on multiple fronts, eventually announced that an expert team of judges will review criminal laws to consider enhanced punishment for sexual assault crimes.

The hospital the student is being taken to has been used in the recent past by superstar Rajinikanth who was treated for renal failure. Politician Amar Singh also underwent a kidney transplant there in 2009.

The student's treatment is now being supervised by Dr Naresh Trehan and Dr Yatin Mehta of the super-specialty Medanta Hospital located in Gurgaon near Delhi. 

Prez appeals youth to control emotions

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Prez appeals youth to control emotions
Sanjay Singh/ Clean Media Correspondent

Varanasi, Dec 25 (CMC) A day after President Pranab Mukherjee demanded "strict action" in a meeting with politicians, he expressed "deep anguish and dismay" over the December 16 gangrape, at functions in Allahabad and Varanasi.

Justifying the anger and agony of the youth demonstrating at the India Gate, the President also made an emotional appeal to the youth to control their emotions. "Nothing is achieved through violence," said Mukherjee.
President was in Varanasi on Tuesday to attend the special convocation ceremony at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). "My heart goes out to this young girl (rape victim) and her family members who have demonstrated extraordinary courage amidst the worst adversity and I request all of you to join me in praying for her speedy recovery," he told the gathering.

Earlier in the day, at the Ninth convocation of the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Allahabad, Mukherjee said, "The government is alert to the situation and is taking necessary action to ensure that such unfortunate incidents are not repeated in future."

Sensex gains 162 points; Bharti Airtel, ICICI major gainers

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Sensex gains 162 points; Bharti Airtel, ICICI major gainers
Clean Media Correspondent

MUMBAI, Dec 26 (CMC) The BSE benchmark Sensex on Wednesday closed 162 points higher on buying in banking, realty and consumer goods stocks amid firm global cues. 

The Sensex rose by 162.37 points, or 0.84 per cent, to 19,417.46 as foreign investors remained net buyers for the 27 straight sessions. 

The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 49.85 points, or 0.85 per cent to 5,905.60. 

According to brokers, investors buying to clear their pending short positions created in recent bear-run before the monthly settlement in the derivatives segment tomorrow also influenced the sentiment. 

A firming Asian trend and government decision of additional incentives for exporters, hit hard by the global slowdown, that includes extension of two per cent interest subsidy for one more year till March 2014 were other supporting factors, they said. 

Banking sector stocks were higher led by State Bank and ICICI Bank on expectations of an interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India in January. 

The index heaviest Reliance Industries shot up by 0.98 per cent to Rs 828, while state-run State Bank of India spurted 1.84 per cent to Rs 2,371.20. ICICI Bank rose by 2.38 per cent to Rs 1,147.95 and HDFC Bank by 0.64 per cent to Rs 679.50. 

Govt. forms panel to probe Delhi rape case

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Govt. forms panel to probe Delhi rape case
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 26 (CMC) Government on Wednesday set up a Commission of Inquiry to identify lapses and fix responsibility in the gang rape of 23-year-old girl in New Delhi, an issue that was discussed by the Union Cabinet with ministers expressing concern over the incident.

The one-person Commission, to be headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Usha Mehra, will also suggest measures to make Delhi and NCR safer for women.

It will submit within three months its report which will be tabled in Parliament along with action taken by the government.

The decision was taken at the meeting which was briefed by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on the December 16 incident that shocked the nation and triggered widespread protests.

At the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, several ministers expressed anguish at the incident and said the government should walk the extra mile to ensure recovery of the victim and instil a sense of safety among women.

While announcing the decision to set up the Commission, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram appealed to public to “believe” that steps are being taken to find lasting solution to the “problem that has plagued all metropolitan cities.”

The Commission will be in addition to the three-member Committee headed by former Chief Justice of India J.S. Verma which is to suggest amendments in law to provide for quicker trial and more stringent punishment in “aggravated sexual assault” cases amid demands for death penalty.

Sharing public anger over the brutal incident, Mr. Chidambaram said it was a “matter of shame” that the incident happened in Delhi and the Central government has special responsibility.

“It is a shame. As a man, I feel ashamed. All of you here in this room should also feel ashamed. Why do men behave like this? We acknowledge the public anger and recognise it,” Mr. Chidambaram said at the press conference addressed jointly with Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari.

“We are deeply anguished at what happened on December 16 in Delhi. I join all others in praying for the recovery of the victim,” Mr. Chidambaram said, with Mr. Tewari echoing the sentiments.

Referring to the setting up of the Inquiry Commission and the Justice Verma Committee, the Finance Minister said the government has “serious intent” to address the broader issue of security of women in the country and provide for more stern punishment for such crimes.

“There are three parts to what we are doing,” he said, while noting that the government was working on ensuring punishment to the guilty, find out what went wrong and amend laws dealing with crimes against women to provide for more stern penalty and faster trials.

He said courts also must help by fast-tracking such cases as there has been huge pendency.

Expressing gratitude to Delhi High Court Chief Justice D Murugesan for announcing setting up of fast-track courts from January three, the Finance Minister hoped other High Courts will also follow suit.

Replying to questions, Tewari refused to “concede” that the widespread protests, which even turned violent, reflected failure of the leadership. He said it was an emotive issue and the government had no problem with peaceful protests but there should have been no violence.

Mr. Chidambaram said the developments of last one week showed a “new phenomenon” of “flash mobs” resorting to protests and the government was not fully prepared to deal with such situations.

“Lessons have been learnt,” said the former Home Minister, adding new standard operating procedures (SOPs) will need to be devised to deal with such situations.

To a question, Mr. Chidambaram said the changes in law that could take place in the future would not apply to the December 16 case as such amendments apply with prospective effect only.

Post-mortem report: Subhash Tomar suffered heart attack due to ante-mortem injuries

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Post-mortem report: Subhash Tomar suffered heart attack due to ante-mortem injuries
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 26 (CMC) The post-mortem report of Delhi police constable Subhash Tomar was released on Wednesday and sources claimed that the cardiac arrest was precipitated by injuries to his neck and chest.

Sources said that he suffered serious ante-mortem injuries and his three ribs were fractured on the left side. Effusion of blood was present in tissues and neck muscles.

Ante-mortem injuries are caused when the body suffers heavy blows from a blunt object.

Although the report has not been made public, the above information was given by sources, claimed various news channels.

The Delhi police in a press conference addressed by KC Dwivedi, Additional Commissioner of the Delhi Police said, "Constable Subhash Tomar suffered serious injuries. Autopsy reveals internal bleeding and broken ribs."

Dwivedi added, "Injuries suffered on chest and neck were due to blunt objects which led to Constable Subhash Tomar's death."

Constable's death probe assigned to Crime Branch

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Constable's death: probe assigned to Crime Branch
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 26 (CMC) After questions were raised over the cause of a constable's death during violent protests last Sunday, the Delhi police on Wednesday assigned its Crime Branch to investigate the case in which murder charges have been invoked. Constable Subhash Tomar (47) died on Tuesday, three days after 
suffering injuries at India Gate where violence had erupted during protests against the gangrape of a 23-year-old girl in a moving bus in south Delhi on December 16, police had said.
"The case has been transfered to the Crime Branch," Delhi police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said. He did not provide reasons for transfering the case from New Delhi district police to the Crime Branch.
However, sources claimed that New Delhi district police will be busy in the coming days with regard to preparations for the Republic Day parade and maintaining law and order.
Questions were raised over the cause of Tomar's death with a journalism student, who claimed to be an eye-witness, countering the police version that the constable was injured in the violence.

The police have slapped murder charges in the case. Eight persons were arrested on Monday on charges of attempt to murder.

On Tuesday, police commissioner Neeraj Kumar had said that Tomar had suffered internal injuries in neck, chest and stomach and the police were waiting for post-mortem report for the exact cause of death.

Narendra Modi sworn in as Gujarat CM for fourth time

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Narendra Modi sworn in as Gujarat CM for fourth time
Clean Media Correspondent

Ahmedabad, Dec 26 (CMC) Amidst heavy security arrangement and a brigade of top brass, Narendra Modi on Wednesday took oath as Gujarat's Chief Minister for the fourth time after leading the Bharatiya Janata Party to a sweeping win in Assembly Elections. 

Governor Kamla Beniwal administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Bharatiya Janata Party leader, who has ruled Gujarat since 2001, at the Sardar Patel Stadium here. 

As Modi was sworn in as Gujarat's Chief Minister, the chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai filled the air. An estimated 2.5 lakh people packing the ground roared in joy as a visibly confident Modi took the oath in Gujarati.  
Modi was sworn in along with seven ministers of Cabinet rank and nine Ministers of State. 

Nitin Patel, Anandi Patel, Raman Vora, Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Saurabh Patel, Ganpat Vasawa, Babhbhai Bokhiariya took oath as Cabinet ministers, while Purshottam Solanki, Parbat Patel, Vasuben Trivedi, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Liladhar Vaghela, Rajnikant Patel, Govind Patel, Nanubhai Vanani and Jayanti Kavadiya took oath as Ministers of State. 

Among those present on the occasion were the Chief Ministers (J Jayalalithaa of Tamil Nadu, Parkash Singh Badal of Punjab, Shivraj Singh Chauhan of Madhya Pradesh, Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh), Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray. 

BJP top brass including LK Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, Venkaiah Naidu, Ananth Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad also attended the swearing-in ceremony. 

Indian National Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chautala, former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhra Raje, RPI leader Ramdas Athawale, BJP leaders Shahnawaz Hussain, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Anurag Thakur, Smriti Irani, Prakash Javadekar and Navjot Singh Sidhu were also present to witness Modi's crowning moment. 

As expected, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has been keeping distance from Modi, as also his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, were conspicuous by their absence. However, Bihar BJP president CP Thakur attended the ceremony.

A host of other non-political faces, including Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, his father Suresh Oberoi and actor Kirron Kher also present during the swearing-in ceremony. 

Modi's mother Heeraben, who was also present, was seen flashing the victory sign. 

After the brief ceremony, the Chief Minister went around the stadium in an open vehicle, waving to the cheering crowds and flashing a 'V' sign. 

Modi is scheduled to attend the National Development Council (NDC) meeting in New Delhi on Thursday. 

Before leaving for the venue, Modi tweeted: "Leaving for swearing in ceremony. Glad to see love of so many people and the presence of distinguished leaders." 

A still earlier tweet of Wednesday by Modi said: "To make a great future India, the whole secret lies in organisation... coordination of wills." 

The BJP bagged 115 of the 182 Assembly seats up for grabs, while Congress emerged victorious in 61. The Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) of former chief minister Keshubhai Patel bagged two seats. 

Delhi gang-rape protests: Constable had no major external injury, says doctor

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Delhi gang-rape protests: Constable had no major external injury, says doctor
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 26 (CMC) Delhi Police constable Subhash Chand Tomar, who was cremated with full state honours here on Tuesday, was not beaten up by protesters, but collapsed while walking, an eyewitness has claimed. 

Meanwhile, Dr PS Sidhu at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital said that the constable had no major external or internal injury marks when he was brought to the hospital. Tomar, however, had injuries on knee and chest, said Dr Sidhu. The constable is reported to have suffered no fracture. 

"No major injury marks found on constable's body. The constable had no pulse when he came to the hospital. Constable's right knee was injured, had bruises," said Sidhu. 

"He came in a state of total collapse and our doctors revived him and as he was not stable, we shifted him to the Intensive Care Unit. He was on ventilator," said Sidhu, the Medical Superintendent of RML Hospital. 

Asked whether is it was a case of cardiac arrest, the doctor evaded a direct reply. "I don't know. That is not my comment. He came, he was in serious shock and we revived him. In all our records, there are no severe internal injuries recorded but the post-mortem will tell everything," he said. 

Meanwhile, Yogendra, the eyewitness, said he and one of his female friends, who was injured, had noticed Tomar collapsing while walking towards protesters. 

"He wasn't trampled by the protestors, he wasn't assaulted. He just collapsed while walking. There was a girl with me at that time. We both saw him lying on the ground, and then I picked him up and took him to the hospital in a police van," said Yogendra. 

"I don't know what they (Delhi Police) are saying, but what I am speaking is the truth," he added. 

The eyewitness further said that no case has been registered against him so far. 

"No case been registered against me, and neither have I come in contact with the police," he added, when asked whether there was any case registered against him. 

The Delhi Police, however, refused to comment on the boy's claims, saying it would be able to speak on the issue only after receiving the post-mortem report. 

"The doctors, who conducted the post-mortem of Constable Subhash Tomar have told us that there were injuries on stomach, chest and neck. And post-mortem report will only tell the cause of death and before we get the post-mortem any comment on the cause of death will be pre-mature," said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat. 

"Therefore, we request not to make it an issue before we get any post-mortem report. We have not declared any cause of death so far, we are waiting for the post-mortem report," he added.

The Delhi police have claimed that Tomar was beaten up by protesters at India Gate during the anti-rape protests. Eight people have been booked in the case, which also includes a member of Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party. 

The 47-year-old constable died early Tuesday due to respiratory and cardiovascular problems sparked off by Sunday's alleged attack on him on a road leading to India Gate during protests against the brutal gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman on December 16 night in a moving bus in south Delhi. 

He was rushed to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital by his colleagues, but was declared dead on Tuesday around 6.40 am. 

Sensex falls for second week; ends over 200 points down

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Sensex falls for second week; ends over 200 points down
Clean Media Correspondent

MUMBAI, Dec 21 (CMC) Sensex ended lower on Friday, marking a second week of declines, as lenders were hit by profit-taking, while Bharti AirtelBSE -3.08 % fell after CBI filed charges as part of a probe into alleged corruption in allocation of mobile airwaves. 

The market also tracked weak global shares after a Republican proposal to deal with a US fiscal crunch failed to get enough support, deepening uncertainty over the US can avert the "fiscal cliff" of automatic spending cuts and tax increases set to start Jan. 1. 

Markets are expected to remain volatile next week amid uncertainty around the US "fiscal cliff" and as markets head into the last derivatives expiry of 2012 on Thursday. 

"Markets are hoping for a solution to the US fiscal cliff issue because if a solution is not reached, it can impact sentiment negatively," said Dipen Shah, Head of Private Client Group Research, Kotak Securities. 

"We expect the issue to be resolved and the same can provide relief in short term," he added. 

The benchmark BSE index fell 1.09 per cent, or 211.92 points, to end at 19,242, marking its biggest single-day per centage fall since Oct. 30, and ending 0.39 per cent lower for the week. 

The broader NSE index shed 1.16 per cent, or 68.70 points, to end at 5,847.70, closing below the psychologically key 5,900 level, also ending down 0.54 per cent for the week. 

Bharti Airtel shares ended 3 per cent lower after CBI filed charges against the company and Vodafone Group Plc's India unit on Friday as part of a probe into alleged corruption in the allocation of mobile phone airwaves a decade ago. 

Banking shares such as State Bank of IndiaBSE -1.95 % fell 2 per cent on profit-taking, after gaining 9.7 per cent in Decmeber, as of Thursday's close. 

Mahindra & Mahindra shares ended 1.6 per cent lower on earnings concerns, after the automaker said it would buy Navistar International's 49 per cent stake in its two joint ventures, in a $33 million deal. 

Mahindra automotive president Pawan Goenka told analysts on Thursday that M&M's board has given executives three years to bring the two companies to profitability. 

Blue Star shares fell 2.5 per cent, while VoltasBSE -3.87 % shares lost 3.9 per cent after Nomura said it has come away "with extremely negative takeaways" for the Indian heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market after meeting a Blue Star executive in charge of the segment. 

However, among gainers, Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services LtdBSE 0.87 % ended 1.3 per cent higher after the board approved a stock-split in the ratio of five new shares for ever one held. 

Shares is Adani Enterprises LtdBSE 0.81 % ended 0.7 per cent higher after earlier gaining as much as 5 per cent in early trade after its promoters set the floor price for a share sale at 282 rupees per share.

Delhi gangrape victim critical but trying to speak: doctors

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Delhi gangrape victim critical but trying to speak: doctors
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 21 (CMC) A 23-year-old woman who was gangraped, beaten and thrown out of a bus on Sunday night is conscious and has been taken off ventilator, said doctors treating her. The woman is still critical and showing mixed response to treatment but she is attempting to speak, said doctors of the Safdarjung Hospital in south Delhi. Her blood infection is spreading and liver condition is not good, they said.

Angry protesters gathered in several places in New Delhi to protest against the violent crime. Hundreds of angry women activists and students marched towards Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President, demanding strong action against the rapists.

Shouting "We want justice", the protestors reached gate number two of Rashtrapati Bhavan. They tried to stop the vehicle of a senior official in a bid to force their entry into the premises.

Policemen said the crowd attempted to force its way into Rashtrapati Bhavan, but was diverted back to India Gate.

Another group of protestors demonstrated near Safdarjung Hospital--which met with disapproval from doctors.

Yet another group, under the aegis of the newly launched Aam Aadmi Party, has been sitting in protest at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.

Many people have rallied in protest in the capital in the five days since the incident.

The residence of Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, the police headquarters, Jantar Mantar and India Gate have all witnessed gatherings of protestors, as the victim, a physiotherapist intern at a private hospital, lies critically injured in Safdarjang.

The brutal crime occurred on Sunday night, when the woman and her male friend boarded a private bus in south Delhi after watching a movie.

The woman was assaulted by six men. Her male friend, who tried to save her, was also beaten up by the rapists. Both victims were stripped and dumped by the roadside near the domestic airport, after the nearly 40-minute ordeal in a moving bus.

ArcelorMittal takes 4.3 billion dollars writedown on weak Europe

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ArcelorMittal takes $4.3 billion writedown on weak Europe
Clean Media Today

BRUSSELS, Dec 21 (CMC) ArcelorMittal (ISPA.AS), the world's biggest steelmaker, is writing down the value of its European business by $4.3 billion, underscoring its gloom about prospects for the region's recession-hit manufacturers.

The group, formed in 2006 when the steel business of India-born Lakshmi Mittal bought Europe's Arcelor for about $33 billion, said on Friday steel demand had fallen about 8 percent in Europe this year and there was no sign of a quick recovery.

As a result, it was writing down the goodwill - the value of intangible assets like a brand rather than physical assets like machinery - of its European operations by 87 percent.

"It is negative, but it shouldn't really be a big surprise that the book value of its European business was too high," said a London-based analyst who asked not to be named.

At 1045 GMT, ArcelorMittal shares were down 2.9 percent at 7.74 euros, one of the biggest falls by a European blue chip stock and reversing gains made earlier this week.

The $500-billion-a-year steel industry, a gauge of the global economy, has slowed sharply this year from last as a moderation in China's economic growth has compounded weak demand from austerity-ravaged Europe.

The World Steel Association in October forecast steel demand would rise by 2.1 percent in 2012, down from 6.2 percent in 2011. It had forecast 3.6 percent growth in April.

Other steelmakers are hurting too. Earlier this month, Germany's Thyssen Krupp posted an annual net loss of 4.7 billion euros.

WEAK POINT

Europe is a particular weak point, as austerity drives aimed at tackling a sovereign debt crisis have cut demand for construction and cars, the steel sector's largest markets. The euro zone's manufacturing sector has contracted for 17 straight months.

ArcelorMittal, which makes about 6-7 percent of the world's steel, said steel demand in Europe had fallen about 29 percent since 2007, when the financial crisis started.

But it highlighted better trends in the United States, where it said demand was up almost 8 percent this year and is now about 10 percent lower than in 2007.

ArcelorMittal, whose output is more than double that of its nearest rival, has already announced the closure of blast furnaces in France and Belgium, with other operations temporarily idled due to overcapacity.

The writedown represents over a third of ArcelorMittal's overall goodwill of $12.5 billion reported at the end of last year. The group, around 40-percent owned by the Mittal family, took on about $6.6 billion of goodwill when it bought Arcelor.

It said the writedown would be a non-cash charge in its fourth quarter results and would not affect net debt or core profit. Before the writedown, analysts had on average forecast the group would make $529.5 million in net profit this year, and $7.1 billion in core profit, according to StarMine. 

Gujarat votes for Modi, BJPs overall tally below 2007

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Gujarat votes for Modi, BJP’s overall tally below 2007
Clean Media Correspondent

Ahmedabad, Dec 21 (CMC) Narendra Modi has once again defended his Gujarat citadel. The incumbent Chief Minister scored a massive win on Thursday with the BJP winning 115 seats out of the total 182. 

As per the Gujarat Election Results 2012, the BJP has won 115 seats, while the Congress finished with 61 seats. 

Though the Congress marginally bettered its tally this time, getting two seats more, state party chief Arjun Modhwadia and Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil suffered shock defeat from Porbandar and Bhavnagar rural seats respectively. Both were among the probables for Chief Minister's post in the event of Congress coming to power. 

However, another Congress stalwart, Shankarsinh Vaghela, a former BJP Chief Minister, managed to scrape through from Kapadvanj. 

Among the major casualties for BJP were five ministers in the Narendra Modi government. 

Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas was worsted by Balvantsinh Rajput of Congress in Siddhpur, while Agriculture Minister Dileep Sanghani lost to Congress' Paresh Dhanani at Amreli. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Fakirbhai Vaghela lost to Congress' Jethabhai Vaghela in Vadgam. 

Modi’s challenger Keshubhai Patel of Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) failed miserably in his mission to uproot the man who had taken over from him as Chief Minister in 2002 and has never looked back since. The GPP has won only two seats - one of the two winners being Keshubhai himself. 

Even Gordhan Zadafia, who was Minister of State for Home in BJP government in 2002 and was considered to be orchestrating efforts to rally voters in Saurashtra behind Keshubhai, lost from the Gondal. 

In 2007, before the delimitation of constituencies, BJP had won 39 of 52 seats in Saurashtra, while Congress pocketed 12 and NCP one. 

This time, out of 48 seats, spread across the 7 districts of Saurashtra, BJP has won 32, Congress 13, GPP two and NCP one. 

In Surat, where GPP was expected to perform well as owners of many small businesses and diamond traders have roots in Saurashtra, the party failed miserably with all its candidates losing. 

Sharad Pawar's NCP, fighting the polls in alliance, won two, while JD(U) and an independent won a seat apiece. 

The performance of the two main contenders to power was nearly a repeat of the 2007 elections when BJP had won 117 seats and Congress 59. 

Modi himself won by a massive margin of 86,373 votes from Maninagar, humbling Congress' Shweta Bhatt, wife of suspended IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt, who has accused the Chief Minister of complicity in 2002 communal riots and is fighting a legal battle against him. 

Modi's right hand man and former Minister of State for Home Amit Shah won Naranpura seat by over 63,000 votes trouncing Jitubhai Patel of the Congress. Shah is an accused in alleged fake encounter killings of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati. 

Later, addressing a huge gathering of supporters a triumphant Modi thanked the people of Gujarat for proving wrong the adage that "good economics makes bad politics". 

"Today I am proud that people of Gujarat have voted for good governance and development. They have risen above the casteist and parochial politics of the 1980s and rejected politics of false promises," he said. 

Amid loud chants of "PM, PM, PM", Modi, whose Prime Ministerial ambition is well known, said," If you want, I will go to Delhi on 27th." 

Though he had launched a largely personalised campaign, Modi said,"This is a victory for Team BJP of which I am a small part. Party is always bigger than individual." 

An emphatic victory for Narendra Modi means that the chorus within the BJP for a bigger role in the party’s national affairs is set to grow. 

However, officially, the BJP today parried questions on whether he will be the party's prime ministerial candidate in the next Lok Sabha elections. 

"Modi bhai has always been an important leader in the BJP...We are not a dynastic party which is led by a Yuvaraj. We function in a pure democratic fashion," BJP chief Spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said. 

He was asked whether the third straight victory in Gujarat has defined Modi as the prime ministerial candidate for the BJP in the next Lok Sabha election in 2014. 

The party should be allowed to rejoice in its performance-led victory in the state, Prasad said, adding that Modi fought against all forms of vicious campaigns against himself at different levels in the state as well as internationally. 

Key candidates Won 

BJP: Amit Shah – Naranpura (won), Saurabh Patel – Akota (won), Jayrajsinh Jadeja – Gondal (won), Anandiben Patel – Ghatlodi (won), Ganpat Vasava – Mangrol (won), Mahendrabhai Mashru – Junagadh (won). 

Congress: Mahendrasinh Vaghela – Bayad (won), Paresh Dhanani – Amreli (won), Jayesh Radadiya – Jetpur (won), Jawahar Chavda - Manavdar (won). 

Others: Keshubhai Patel – Visavadar (won). 

Lost 

BJP: Dilip Sanghani – Amreli (lost), Jaynarayan Vyas – Sidhapur (lost). 

Congress: Kanubhai Bhalala - Visavadar (lost), Shaktisinh Gohil – Bhavnagar (Rural) (lost), Arjun Modhwadia – Porbander (lost). 

Others: Gordhanbhai Zadafia – Gondal (lost), Dr Kanubhai Kalsariya –Gariyadhar (lost), Jagruti Pandya - Ellisbridge (lost). 

The voting was spread across two phases – Dec 13 and 17 with record 71.32 percent voters casting their ballot. 

Modi is now clear No one in BJP but challenges loom

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Modi is now clear No one in BJP but challenges loom
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 20 (CMC) Eleven lessons from the Gujarat and Himachal poll results
Why Modi's Gujarat victory seems less awesome than it is
As always, commenting on an election while results are just pouring in can be hazardous to one’s reputation.

Before noon, when it seemed that Narendra Modi would not cross his 2007 seat count, we had assumed that the results would not be as favourable to the BJP as what the exit pollsters had led us to believe. Now, it seems, they did get it more right than wrong, with Modi looking at a two-thirds majority.

So the joke is on us and P Chidambaram, who touted the Congress defeat as a victory. He said: “The sweeping victory predicted by the BJP has not taken place and the fact is it has been contained to a number below last time.” Wonder what he will have to say now that all major state Congress leaders have lost.

While we are happy to eat our words, it is time to make another quick assessment of what the new numbers really mean for Modi and the BJP.

In Gujarat, the BJP’s small reverses in Saurashtra and North Gujarat appear to have been the result of internal infighting and bad blood – as evidenced in the dissidence of Keshubhai Patel, and the unhappiness of the Sangh Parivar, which has been active in North Gujarat. This may have given some BJP candidates a hard time.

Modi’s first challenge will thus be to make sure that old wounds are healed so that the party can be united once again even if he has to move to Delhi.

However, it is now crystal clear that Modi’s claims to be treated as primus inter pares in the BJP cannot be ignored. He is now by far the only realistic claimant for leading the BJP in the next polls, even if the CMs of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh bring home their own third round victories in 2013.

We say this for three reasons: as the first BJP man to be re-elected three times as CM and each time with thumping majorities, Modi is clearly the BJP leader with the momentum and wind behind his sails. Secondly, there is no one in the national BJP who can command the troops like Modi. Only he can energise the rank-and-file. Thirdly, the central BJP is in a shambles, and the RSS, by placing Nitin Gadkari at the helm, helped compound the confusion. Even when the Congress is on the ropes, the BJP has not been able to make gains. This is reflected in the Himachal results, where Prem Kumar Dhumal could not hold on despite the Congress’ multiple stumbles at the centre. This is both a tribute to the mild anti-incumbency factor at work, and also the power of the BJP rival – Virbhadra Singh.

The field is clear for Modi because the only other real contender for the top leadership is Shivraj Singh Chauhan of Madhya Pradesh, but he will be busy with his state elections in 2013. Modi is the one who has to take key decisions for the party in the run-up to 2014.

Clearly, having just won, it is not possible for Modi to just hand over the chief ministership to a person of his choice and shift to the party headquarters in Delhi. His first priority will be to ensure that the next party president is someone who is in sync with him. This raises a question-mark over Nitin Gadkari’s future.

Once this is settled, Modi will have to be deeply involved in the revival of the party.

His first challenge will be in Karnataka, where the BJP looks likely to lose the next election, thanks to the BS Yeddyurappa revolt. If Modi can step in and heal the rift, the party may still not win, but it would at least be in a position to fight a good fight in the Lok Sabha polls of 2014.

The challenge after that is Uttar Pradesh. If the BJP wants Modi as its chief, and it wants to lead the next NDA coalition, the party has to win 180 seats at least. This is impossible if Uttar Pradesh yields a measly harvest of 10-12 seats. Luckily for Modi, his image as a hardline Hindutva leader – which he will try to live down elsewhere – may actually help him in UP, where the state party leadership is miffed that the central party voted to pass the Dalit quotas-in-promotions bill that can only help Mayawati.

The BJP’s key votes in Uttar Pradesh lie with the upper castes and the non-Yadav OBCs, and neither of them are too happy with the constitutional amendment that will allow SC/STs employees to obtain reservations in promotions. UP’s upper castes and OBCs are up in arms. Modi will have to find a way to funnel this unhappiness into votes for the BJP and not allow it to head towards the Samajwadi Party, which has placed itself in the vanguard of the anti-quota forces.

Modi may be the BJP’s only star, but he has his work cut out.

Four reasons behind Narendra Modis victory

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Four reasons behind Narendra Modi’s victory
Clean Media Correspondent

Ahemdabad, Dec 20 (CMC) As expected Narendra Modi secured yet another decisive victory in Gujarat assembly elections 2012 on Thursday. The BJP winning 120 seats approximately surely will propel him to the national stage, but here’s a look at the factors that played a role in his victory.

Development agenda: Narendra Modi has been highlighting development in the state under his rule. While it is true that the Gujarat does not rank high on several social indicators, industrial development has indeed gathered pace across the state in the last decade.

Darling of Urban middle class: One clear trend that has emerged is the overwhelming support Modi has secured in urban Gujarat. It is a near clean sweep across major cities for the BJP. However, it also highlights that the rural voter does not share the enthusiasm of urban Gujarat towards Modi’s ‘Vibrant Gujarat’.

Weak Congress: The Congress is in shambles. The tragedy is amplified as top state leaders like Arjun Modhwadia and Gordhan Zadafia have bitten dust. National leaders of the party Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi did campaign in the state but have not managed to break Modi’s citadel. The lack of a strong state leadership in the state, coupled with the Congress’ aversion to directly take on Modi – after the Maut Ka Saudagar fiasco – did the grand party in.

Modi as PM: The calculative Gujarati seems to have to have also bought into the growing ‘Modi as PM’ chorus. They may have taken him as a symbol of Gujarati pride and the community’s first real chance to have one of their own as the Prime Minister of India.

Narendra Modi Adore or abhor but you cannot ignore him

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Narendra Modi Adore or abhor but you cannot ignore him
Clean Media Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 20 (CMC) Narendra Modi, whose hat-trick in Gujarat could possibly pitchfork him as a prime ministerial candidate of BJP in 2014, has always remained a leader with a difference, a personality you may love or hate but cannot ignore.

The 62-year-old former RSS pracharak is no ordinary politician and has carved out a name for development in a state that has always nurtured talent and entrepreneurial skills.

But Modi has more share of controversies and is yet to live down the stigma over the post-Godhra violence that claimed lives of over 1,000 Muslims in March 2002 months after he had taken over as Chief Minister replacing Keshubhai Patel.

In a state considered the Sangh Parivar's Hindutva laboratory, the chief minister is accused of polarising the state on communal lines.

In fact, he is the most targeted leader in the current times with his opponents ready to go to any extent to hurl invectives on him.

However, he has admirers in equal measure in his party and outside. Modi made feeble attempts to woo the Muslims but the controversial BJP strongman has always projected an air of unconcern. His critics say that Modi will always have to carry the taint of 2002 Gujarat riots after the Godhra train carnage for which he has consciously avoided expressing regret or offering any apology. In one recent interview, he had, however, said if he was guilty of involvement, he can be hanged.

Modi's admirers, on the other hand, hail him as "Hindu Hriday Samrat".

The situation is so polarised in Gujarat that Sonia Gandhi's remarks accusing Modi of being a "merchant of death" had created a huge controversy in the 2007 Assembly Polls.

The description is said to have cost the Congress dear that the party shied away from raking up the issue of post-Godhra riots altogether in the current elections.

After 11 long years as Gujarat chief minister and his third consecutive success at the hustings, Modi may have propelled himself as a strong contender as party's candidate for prime minister's post in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"No need of looking behind ...FORWARD!...We want infinite energy, infinite courage, infinite patience..." Modi said on the microblogging site Twitter in the wake of trends that he was set to create a hat-trick.

It was interpreted in some circles as a subtle comment indicating his intention to be in the prime ministerial race.

In fact, he has created history by emerging as the first BJP chief minister to have third successive win at a time when the party is in dire need of a strong leader to get back to power at the Centre.

The election was different for Modi as it was for the first time that elderly Keshubhai, whom he had replaced as the chief minister in 2001, parted ways with the BJP and floated his Gujarat Parivartan Party to rid the state of an 'emergency like situation'.

Given the bitter parting of ways, the 2012 polls was the litmus test for Modi, who had consciously tried to build bridges with the minorities by holding Sadbhavana fasts all over the state.

At the same time, he did not give ticket to a single Muslim in a bid not to ruffle the feathers in the Hindutva camp.

Modi also had reached out to his core constituency by organising state-wide yatra by projecting Swamy Vivekananda as his ideal on his 150th birth anniversary.

In the wake of the 2002 riots, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had reminded him of his "raj dharma", but LK Advani and the late Pramod Mahajan helped Modi to survive as the chief minister.

After that there was no looking back for the RSS pracharak who had moved to the BJP long back, first as organising secretary of the party in Gujarat and later an office-bearer at his headquarter in Delhi.