Narendra Modi adept in Chanakya neeti: Associate, Vishwanath Suvarna

Narendra Modi adept in Chanakya neeti: Associate, Vishwanath Suvarna

Mangalore Today News Network

MANGALORE, May 20, 2014: Narendra Modi might be an enigma to many, but not to this acquaintance from Mangalore.

Vishwanath Suvarna, 66, who worked with the Prime Minister-designate in Punjab for more than four years in the 1990s, says Modi’s politics is built on spirituality.

 

 

"He does not believe in cheating to gain since he believes it is like cheating oneself. He is a fan of Swami Vivekananda,’’ says Vishwanath, who fondly addresses Modi as "Narender".

 

Modi is a go-getter who wears his confidence on the sleeve. "He won’t rest till he gets what he has set his eyes on,’’ says Vishwanath, recalling an episode where Modi’s acumen came to the fore. A BJP member, Devender Gupta, contested the Chandigarh local bodies polls as an independent, leaving party members worried. A day before polling, Modi put up posters that declared Gupta had rejoined the BJP. Gupta lost.

"It was overnight kamaal. He is adept in Chanakya neeti and knows how to manage situations,’’ notes Vishwanath.

During his pracharak days in 1992, Modi burnt the midnight oil devising strategies to strengthen the RSS in Punjab. "The RSS was an unknown quantity in Punjab. We used to organize games like kabaddi and ’Main Shivaji Hoon’ to draw youths to the RSS. But we were not that successful,’’ says Vishwanath.

"Modi is a good listener who is adept at gathering information. During pracharaks’ meetings, he used to have the final word after collecting information from others. He was a favourite of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Whenever Vajpayee was in Chandigarh, he used to have a closed-door chat with Modi.’’

Vishwanath, one of the few married men to have become RSS pracharaks, met "Narender" in 2008 after a gap of 15 years. His friend Balvinder Singh recalls: "When Modi saw Vishwanath from far at Bajpe airport, he raised both his hands and said, ’Oye Baba Vishwanath. Kya haal hai? Daadhi abhi rakhi hai!’"

Vishwanath, paralyzed on one side, could not go to meet Modi during his recent visit to Mangalore.

A pracharak for nearly 25 years, Vishwanath says the line demarcating the RSS and the BJP has blurred. "Dr Hegdewar’s concept of the RSS, which was an embodiment of discipline, is a thing of the past. Now the RSS has adapted to politics and uses it for its benefit."

ZEAL FOR BEARD

Modi is very particular about his appearance in public. He grew a beard during his stint in Punjab.

"Since we could not grow long hair and maintain it, we grew a beard. Mine was long till I cut it short. Narender keeps his beard trimmed and neat, and spends good money to maintain it,’’ says Vishwanath.

Modi’s food habits were simple, Vishwanath recalls, but wanted his dress to be neat. "We used to keep our clothes folded under the pillows so that they would look as if they were ironed.’’

 

Courtesy: Times of India