Know all about Narendra Modi - the man who could well be the next Prime Minister of India

New Delhi, May 7: The BJP leadership may be in two minds on whether to declare Narendra Modi as its PM candidate or not but the party cadre has already anointed him as the sole contender for the top job in 2014 elections. Of course, there are allies like Nitish Kumar led JD(U) and Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena, who are not comfortable with Narendra Modi's candidature because of different reasons. Modi as a childIn case of Nitish Kumar, the discomfort is mainly on three counts. Firstly, Nitish Kumar fears to lose whatever Muslim support he has managed to accumulate in his last two terms as CM of Bihar, a state that has 16 percent of Muslim population. Secondly, he has his own Prime Ministerial ambitions. Thirdly, Narendra Modi's OBC background adds further to the headache of Nitish as he fears that Modi's emergence may have an impact on his own OBC support base in Bihar who could switch over to BJP with Narendra Modi as PM. Modi in younger daysAs far as Shiv Sena is concerned, the covert opposition to Modi comes from his closeness to Raj Thackeray. Since Raj Thackeray has always been a votary of ‘Modi as PM', even Bal Thackeray was not very warm to the idea of Modi's projection as PM candidate in 2014 elections. That was the reason why Bal Thackeray propped up the name of Sushma Swaraj as the most suitable candidate for NDA in 2014.The allies may have their own preferences but the rank and file of the party is unanimous that it's Narendra Modi alone who could give the decisive push to BJP's electoral fortunes in upcoming General elections. Even BJP's worst critics admit that Narendra Modi would definitely add more votes and seats to BJP's tally if he is projected as NDA's PM candidate. His candidature may give a direction to floating votes. There are many people in this country who are disappointed with the degree of corruption and indecisiveness that the UPA government has been inflicted with but they are not sure which alternative to choose. BJP minus Modi does not inspire any confidence. On the other hand, Modi's image as a no-nonsense administrator gives them a sense of hope. And on the top of it, the corporate worls is already in awe of the man from Gujarat.All reports suggest that the question is no longer ‘whether' but ‘when'. It seems BJP top leadership has made up its mind and is waiting for the right time to declare his candidature. Even Sushil Kumar Modi, the architect of BJP-JD(U) alliance in Bihar, has got the message from the central leadership and has asserted, to the surprise of political analysts in Bihar, that NDA allies will be consulted for sure but they have not been given any veto power. So the writing on wall is very clear for the constituents of NDA, especially the Bihar Chief Minister.So who is this man - Narendra Modi? India knows him as the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat but it's time to know more and take a close look at the life and political journey of Narendra Modi who, once upon a time, used to sell tea in Ahmedabad. Modi was born in an OBC family of grocers in Vadnagar of Gujarat on born 17 September, 1950. Modi wanted to become a sanyasi when he was a child. In fact, he was always fascinated with Sadhus, different forms of worship and meditation. He ran away from home after completing his school education. He visited many places including Ramkrishna Ashram of Belur in West Bengal. Finally, he reached Himalayas and wandered aimlessly and stayed with unknown but yogic Sadhus for months.Modi with his motherAfter two years of wandering in Himalayas without money and with two pairs of clothes, he suddenly decided to give up ‘Sanyas' life and returned home.After returning from Himalayas, Modi ran a tea stall with his brother at the State Transport Office in Ahmedabad. Modi sold tea for many years. That was the time when Modi learnt what hardship really meant. It made him more determined and resolute in his approach towards life.After sometime, Modi joined RSS and became a full time pracharak. Very soon, he was given charge of ‘Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad' in Gujarat and for Modi, there was no looking back from here. Modi made a mark for himself as an able organizer and efficient administrator. Later on, he joined the Gujarat unit of Jan Sangh. It was in the year 1987 that the RSS deputed Modi to BJP. Modi played a crucial role in BJP's victory in Gujarat assembly elections in 1995. The party's public face consisted of Shankarsingh Vaghela and Keshubhai Patel but it was Modi who micro managed the entire election. His role was that of a master strategist and he did full justice to his role. After the victory in 1995 assembly elections, BJP made Keshubhai Patel the CM of Gujarat. Since Modi had worked at grass root level, he started taking keen interest in state's administration on behalf of party workers. Keshubhai considered it as interference and got Modi shifted to Delhi as General Secretary of the party. Meanwhile, Shankar Singh Vaghela, who was a CM aspirant before 1995 elections, deserted the BJP after he lost the 1996 Lok Sabha elections. By 2001, Keshubhai Patel started losing the grip on the administration and the party MLAs due to several factors, failing health being one of the important reasons. The party lost by-elections and some of the MLAs revolted against Keshubhai. It was at this time that the central leadership thought it was time for a change in leadership.The mantle fell on Modi but Advani was not very sure of his administrative capabilities. Therefore, it is said that he wanted to make Modi a ‘Deputy CM' first but Modi stoutly refused that position. He reportedly said either he gets all or nothing.Under these circumstances, Narendra Modi was made the Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. Modi never looked back since then. He won the hearts and minds of the people of Gujarat and won three consecutive assembly elections for the party in 2002, 2007 and 2012. Narendra Modi became the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat on On 18 September 2012when he completed 4000 days in power. The biggest mystery of Narendra Modi's life is his relationship status. The world knows him as a ‘bachelor' but it has been contested by some of his critics who point out that he was once married to ‘Jashodaben'. A magazine published a story in 2009 that claimed Jashodaben to be Modi's wife. The fact that Modi never contested the facts of the story gives credence to the content of the article. The woman in question is a school teacher and lives in Rajosana village of Banaskantha district. She is said to be married when she was 18. She had studied up to class VIII only and that is supposed to have spoiled their relationship. It is said that Jashodaben does not like to be photographed as she believes she is not good looking. Not only this, she is conscious of Modi's high position and does not want to create any embarrassment to Modi although she is hopeful that someday Modi will come to her and publicly accept her as his wife.According to another popular story about Modi's marriage, he got married during his childhood. It was a child marriage and Modi never met his wife again as the ‘second marriage (Gauna)' never happened because Modi got attracted to RSS by that time and decided to remain bachelor for the rest of his life. It is said that his wife also took the vow of remaining single for the rest of her life.The veracity of all these stories are yet to be fully ascertained as Narendra Modi has never tried to present his side of story on this matter.But Narendra Modi's story would remain incomplete without the mention of Godhara violence of 2002. Around 50 Karsevakas on board a train, returning from Ayodhya, were burnt alive and it triggered off one of the worst communal violence in Gujarat in February 2002. Around 1200 people, mainly Muslims, were killed in this sectarian violence.Modi's opponents called it a state sponsored pogrom and accused Modi of turning a blind eye and doing nothing to prevent the violence.The cases relating to Godhara violence are still going on in courts and some of the prime accused have been sentenced as well. But Narendra Modi himself has not been declared guilty by any court. In fact, there is no specific case against him in this particular case.But it's on account of Modi's alleged complicity in 2002 violence that Narendra Modi has been denied Visa by America. But the question is - what will the Americans do if Narendra Modi becomes the PM of India? Will they still continue to deny Modi the Visa to US?Modi with Kushabhau Thackeray