One of the key reasons for the BJP’s massive success over the past seven years is the party’s stubborn refusal to entertain products of a dynasty as it simultaneously attacks the opposition parties who are flooded with incompetent political dynasts. Now, it seems that Prime Minister Modi has taken it upon himself to send a message to the BJP leaders who are actively trying to prop up their relatives. PM Modi’s niece Sonal Modi has been denied a BJP ticket to contest in the upcoming Ahmedabad civic polls slated to take place later this month.
As Gujarat gears up for the civic polls slated to take place in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar, the news of PM Modi’s niece, Sonal Modi being denied a BJP ticket to contest from Bodakdev Ward in Ahmedabad has taken many by surprise.
The decision to deny ticket to Sonal Modi, was down to the rule adopted by the BJP that in the upcoming elections no relative of party leaders will be entertained and given tickets to contest the polls.
When asked about the decision to deny ticket to Sonal Modi, BJP Gujarat President CR Paatil stated that the rules are the same for everybody.
“I have sought the ticket in my capacity as a BJP worker not as a relative of the PM. Even if I am not given the ticket, I will remain active in the party as a dedicated worker,” said Sonal Modi, who is the daughter of PM Modi’s brother, Prahlad Modi, who in turn, owns a fair price shop in Ahmedabad.
“This is not a case of nepotism. My family never used Narendra Modi’s name for our benefit. We all earn our own bread and butter,” said the PM’s brother, Prahlad Modi.
He added, “Even I run a ration shop. I have not visited Narendra Modi’s bungalow after he became the PM, let alone my children.”
This is a significant development which perhaps explains why the BJP has been so successful of late. PM Modi is not only one of the tallest leaders in the history of independent India but he has also emerged as a global leader in his own might, especially in the post-pandemic era and the fact that his niece Sonal was denied a ticket for local polls further highlights the BJP’s functioning.
Whereas in the Indian National Congress, if one is in any way related to the Gandhi family, one would immediately slot into the party’s high command and get a ticket from wherever he or she wants to be it the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. This is because contesting in Assembly and Civic elections would be considered as derogatory for the members of the Gandhi family.
However, of late, there is a feeling of political dynasts increasingly gaining prominence in the BJP and perhaps by denying a ticket to PM Modi’s niece, BJP is attempting to send a message to its leaders who are actively working to induct their relatives. Out of the 388 BJP MPs in both the Lok and Rajya Sabha, 45 MPs have dynastic linkages. There were also murmurs of discontent in the Karnataka BJP with how Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa is actively involving his son in the state affairs.
PM Modi is leading by example and sending a message to his colleagues out there – only political dynasts who are worth their weight in gold and possess the ability to deliver for the party like Jyotiraditya Scindia will be entertained.