Date:13/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/13/stories/2007111368180600.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Narendra Modi’s suggestion

Special Correspondent

Narendra Modi

Bangalore: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who normally avoids presspersons was caught off-guard when he wished Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa would follow the Gujarat model in his administration, without realising for a moment what a jewel he had dropped for the fourth estate.

Mr. Modi said this to presspersons on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony on the steps of Vidhana Soudha.

Presspersons understood Mr. Modi’s statement as suggesting that the State Government should follow the Hindutva agenda that he had implemented in Gujarat.

At this point, BJP president Rajnath Singh intervened to say that what Mr. Modi meant was the Gujarat development model. Gujarat today is an example for other States to follow, Mr. Singh said.

Mr. Modi said that the formation of a BJP Government in Karnataka would give a boost to the morale of the party in the country and its results would be evident in coming Assembly elections.