Urvish Kothari ~ उर्वीश कोठारी Profile picture
Gujarati writer-satirist.

Jun 19, 2021, 22 tweets

Thread #RealGujaratModel Part-2
For the interested, more specimen/paper clippings from #gujaratscrapbook. How the 'model' was projected and how it was a sham from the beginning. The trailer of a pathetic & dark farce released nationally later on.
Pl feel free to share.

CM Modi taking blessings of Nityananda. Vadodara. 9-10-2009. Nityananda gave ₹2.5 Lakh to State’s girl child education scheme. Modi went there in chopper to release a book by Nityananda, according to
(Indian Express) #GujaratScrapBook-23 #realgujaratmodel

CM Modi’s blatant lie exposed. He claimed PM Singh called him to cancel his Britain visit for security reasons. Turned out HM Patil called-advised Modi and Modi called the PM to inform. (Not the other way round) Gujarat Samachar 26-3-05 #GujaratScrapBook-24 #realgujaratmodel

‘Chowkidar’ used probably for the first time. Pamphlet of 2007 assembly election. Promise: chowkidar of your money. Deliverance: Evading discussion on CAG reports. Tabling them too late/ on the last day of assembly. #GujaratScrapBook-25 #realgujaratmodel

CM Modi gives appointment orders to ‘Vidya Sahayak’ (VS) in a function. (4-7-2010) 1. Before Modi, postmen delivered orders. 2. VS had ₹3,500 pm salary for 5 years. Official exploitation + disastrous for education. 3.Sheer self-branding. #GujaratScrapBook-26 #realgujaratmodel

“Modi Govt no. 1 in corruption.” ‘Sandesh’ daily(24-8-2011). A full page report quoted CAG and claimed corruption (financial irregularities) of ₹26,672 Crores in 9 years of CM Modi’s rule. When he was conveniently supporting Anna movement. #GujaratScrapBook-27 #realgujaratmodel

From Bharatiya Kisan Sangh’s statement. After 2004 defeat of NDA. “Had Modi any concern for Hindutva, he won’t have played a butcher for the farmers.’ It used 3 adjectives: भाषणखोर, तमाशाखोर, कावतराखोर (Crafty). Gujarat Samachar, 15-6-2004 #GujaratScrapBook-28 #RealGujaratModel

The Gujarat ‘Model’. Endless fetish for dressing, posing & projecting self. Monogrammed suit was a logical extension. All pics from Dec 2007 assembly election pamphlets. #gujaratscrapbook-29 #realgujaratmodel

The vibrant eyewash that made CM Modi dear to the industrialists and free economy pundits who coined words like ‘Modinomics’. Brand promotion ad of Indian Express. 29-1-2009. The copy reads: First to report Our history, our habit. #gujaratscrapbook-30 #realgujaratmodel

“Our Narendrabhai in jail? Is it fine with you?” Cried the headline of BJP ad, with a pic of jail bars. (There were hoardings too.) In spite of CM Modi’s usual bravado of “Hang me if I’m guilty”. Appeal to defeat UPA in 2009 election. #GujaratScrapBook-31 #realgujaratmodel

Destination Chintan: 4 day ‘Chintan Shibir’ for Govt officials at ‘tent city’ in Rann of Kutch. To discuss 50 golden resolves-50 golden targets on 50 years of Gujarat. Speakers including Kalam. Imagine the showbazi & expenditure. 4-12-2009 #GujaratScrapBook-32 #realgujaratmodel

Before social media, there was a tv channel with opaque financing named ‘Vande Gujarat’. It projected CM Modi dutifully. Its webcasting and mobilecasting was available too (along with broadcasting on cable network). 9-10-2007 #gujaratscrapbook-33 #realgujaratmodel

Call it ears on the ground or PR on the roll. ToI, 19-3-2009, Front page headline: Modi saddles up for key role at Centre. Read the box matter in 2nd photo. #GujaratScrapBook-34 #RealGujaratModel

One more grand & hollow event. Planting 1,85,70,000 trees (‘वीरांजलि वन’) in 18,324 villages, 141 towns, 7 mega cities. In memory of martyrs of 1857. To celebrate 150 years. 9-8-2007. Who will count 1,85,70,000? Where’re trees? No idea. #GujaratScrapBook-35 #realgujaratmodel

Once Upon A Time In The West. PM Vajpayee said, ‘I wanted to remove Modi.’ After loosing 2004 Lok Sabha elections. Indian Express, 14-6-2004 #gujaratscrapbook-36 #realgujaratmodel

A clean chit before the clean chit: ‘In your heart you know he is right...’ (before official clean chit was given to him. Don’t get into ‘how’?) 2007 assembly election ad. 5-12-2007 #GujaratScrapBook-37 #realgujaratmodel

Terrorist attack during other govt: Rulers coward, ineffective. In Modi's rule: Hail unity and 'failed efforts to scuttle Vikas'. Also, 'brave-fearless people of Gujarat will fight terrorism.' (hoardings after 2008 Ahmedabad bomb blasts) #GujaratScrapBook-38 #RealGujaratModel

The elected 'King of Good Times' CM Modi visited Ahmedabad river front with ministers Anandiben Patel, Nitin Patel and architect Bimal Patel (in first pic). 19-11-2009 The word 'cowboy' popped up in mind with a 'cow belt' connotation. #GujaratScrapBook-39 #RealGujaratModel

Some alternative careers imagined for CM Modi as a tribute to his working style. Aarpar weekly, 28-3-2005 1. Splitter (of atoms) 2. Ring master 3. Spiritual Guru. #GujaratScrapBook-40 #RealGujaratModel

Guj Govt introduced ‘Kalyan Chhab’ (welfare box) in which things for free distribution, including condoms, were kept at fair price shops. The box had pics of a condom, CM Modi & Health minister Ashok Bhatt on it. Gujarat Samachar, 13-9-2006 #gujaratscrapbook-41 #RealGujaratModel

#RealGujaratModel
ModiMyths:
1. No family. Hence not corrupt. (Burning ambition needs more money)
2. Very efficient. (In self-projection & fixing opponents)
3. Modinomics. (Never had any economic policy)
4. Great communicator. (Cheap, Polariser)
5. Vikas (Events, Lies, Vanity)

These tweets were posted daily at 4:20 pm for 42 days. A story on this series by @sanjukta
nationalheraldindia.com/india/india-is…

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