Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Sep 14: The elections for the country's next Prime Minister is still a long way away, but the battlelines seem to be already drawn. For quite a while now, Rahul Gandhi has been touted as the next PM if Congress were to win, and Narendra Modi his counterpart from BJP.
Now, a US Congressional report has predicted that in all likelihood, the 2014 elections may end up as Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi affair, though not in such exact terms. The report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), a bipartisan and independent research wing of the US Congress, stated that Modi is a strong candidate for the Prime Ministerial race.
The report was put on public domain on Tuesday September 13, by the Federation of American Scientists.
Though Rahul Gandhi may be the Congress candidate, the report stated that there are question marks on his ability to lead the part as he has a 'mixed record' of being an 'election strategist' with an 'uneasy style in public appearances, and reputation for gaffes.'
The report also acknowledged Sonia Gandhi's power and influence over the party, the UPA government and the policy making process.
"Her foreign origins have presented an obstacle and likely was a major factor in her surprising 2004 decision to decline the prime ministership," the report said.
On BJP, the report stated that the BJP will be a strong contender for the polls despite its present disorder.
Listing out the changes that BJP has strived to make within itself, the report said, "These (changes) include a more effective branding of the party as one focused on development and good governance rather than emotive, Hindutva-related issues, and Gadkari's success at quelling intra-party dissidence and, by some accounts, showing superior strategising and organising skills as compared to his predecessors," the report said.
It further stated, "Yet among the party's likely candidates for the prime ministership in future elections is Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who has overseen impressive development successes in his state, but who is also dogged by controversy over his alleged complicity in lethal anti-Muslim rioting there in 2002."
The CRS report hailed Modi and said that under his reign the state had become a key driver of national economic growth.
"Perhaps India's best example of effective governance and impressive development is found in Gujarat, where controversial chief minister Narendra Modi has streamlined economic processes, removing red tape and curtailing corruption in ways that have made the state a key driver of national economic growth," it stated.
However, the CRS also pointed out that Modi had been denied US visa as he had been party to severe violations of religious freedom.
The report sees Modi's development and investment plans as a move to 'overcome the taint of his alleged complicity in 2002 riots.'