Modigate And The Modi Brand — How One Affects The Other

With few Modis coming out as corrupt doesn't imply that all people with Modi surname are corrupt. But, it certainly hurt the humble chaiwala PM MODI brand image in public.

PM MODI DURING HIS 2014 ELECTION CAMPAIGN, in a public rally, asserted that he will serve as a chowkidar (watchman) of India and will stop the ongoing loot. The rhetoric was so powerful that even corruption crusaders like Anna Hazare fall for it and almost came out openly in support of BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. But, he appears to have failed in his role as a chowkidar.

With the fall of Nirav Modi brand after Modigate, the question is, is it going to affect the political ‘Modi’ brand? If yes, how?

Nirav Modi’s association with PM Modi is not very clear. But the owner of Gitanjali gems and Nirav Modi's maternal uncle, Mehul Chinubhai Choksi has also been named in the PNB fraud. In a public speech, the way PM Narendra Modi mentioned his name indicates how well he knows “Mehul bhai”. Therefore, both the integrity as well as the credibility of ‘ Brand Modi’ seems to be in trouble.

How are the conmen able to leave the country at the ‘right’ time?

It is even more baffling that whenever a high-level enquiry being carried out against the corrupt industrialists, they’re able to shift their loot caravan to a new home. This shows a nexus between bankers, businessmen, and bureaucracy. Therefore, first, a probe should be carried out to probe how they manage to escape before the probe.

Another Modi

While discussing the Modi brand, it would be interesting to note another famous scamster with Modi surname, the one who had a deep connection with the top brass of BJP, so much so that there had been accusations of ‘quid pro quo’ and financial crimes such as money laundering against that Modi with the top BJP leaders. Though, he had some 'alleged' connections with Congress leaders too. He is the one who has shamed the gentleman's sport of Cricket with his idea of reducing Cricket into a fast money-generating sport. It was possibly his idea of introducing cheerleaders in cricket too. He is Lalit Modi, of course. Accused and of misconduct, indiscipline and corruption, he has been banned from BCCI for life. Though what financial crime he did as a commissioner of IPL is still murky.

India seems to have forgotten Lalit bhai, it is he who wants to be in the limelight by naming 'big names' as his partner in his earlier misdeeds. Despite being known for only bad reasons, the confidence of this man is incredible. Though he hadn't taken any bank loan, neither he stalled payment of his employees, he is undeniably corrupt. It is only a matter of the extent of corruption - more or less. Is there any parameter?

Scam took place during congress

Whenever a shameful incident come to the forefront, the standard argument of BJP has become this: ‘scam took place during the Congress regime’, in order to defend their government. Without any doubt, Congress regime, especially the UPA-II, was corrupt. But, does it mean that they can shift the responsibility? Had the Congress been in power, BJP would have wasted no time in blaming the Gandhi family for the fraud.

Corruption during the Congress regime had its roots from alliance pressure, which nowadays can be observed in Maharashtra and J&K, where BJP struggles to tame their alliance partner. The point is the present government cannot make an excuse for its failure and to fix responsibility. BJP seems to trap people in Congress-BJP and Hindu-Muslim shits. And, not to mention, our media help the ruling party a lot.

Congress will try their best to degrade the Modi brand value. On the other hand, BJP will do their best to preserve it. If Modi brand gets tarnished, the future of BJP will be in the veil. It is the Modi brand that gives BJP the leverage in elections. Without the Modi brand, BJP will get reduced to a party of ‘hindutva’ politics it is famous for. No Vikas, no Sabka Saath, no Swacch Bharat, and no Modi Sarkar!

It is well-known that Congress is well-skilled and experienced in extracting the most out of surnames. They've done it precisely well with ‘Gandhi’. It is no wonder that they have already started addressing Nirav Modi as chhota (little) Modi, perhaps an attempt to link Nirav Modi (NiMo) as a relative of NaMo.

Final Take

PNB scam or Modigate shows that even big companies, well-known brands, are not trustworthy. It has completely exposed the modus operandi by which public money is being drained in the corrupt public sector banks.

The yoga guru and a veteran businessman Ramdev, the founder of one of the fastest growing brand in India 'Patanjali', said, whether its Lalit Modi or Nirav Modi, Narendra Modi will show them their right place. But, we know it is easy said than done. It won’t be a surprise if no action is taken against any of these debt-ridden billionaires.

After 2014, the term ‘Modi’ rose to become a global brand which is of utmost importance in contemporary India. It signifies the presence of a sane democracy in India. So. a separate post discussing the 'Modi brand' can be justified.

Also read: The Great Indian Bank Fraud - A Look Into PNB SCAM

You can send this article to those you hate the most. Goodbye!

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