Top Three Chief Ministers

An attempt to portray the top chief ministers, performance wise, in the present India. Though, it cannot be claimed that they are the ideal CMs, but they are the best among the reigning lot. The readers must note that this article is written with some 'optimism'. ;-)

Narendra Damodardas Modi, has become the poster boy of BJP all over India, even beating the charisma of LK Advani, in his state of Gujarat. Mr.Modi has become a synonym of BJP, and the some of the present CMs of the party claim to draw inspiration from him. Sonia Gandhi's comments of 'Merchants of death', the anti-incumbency, the in-party revolts by Keshubhai and others, couldnot stop Modi to become the CM for the third time. The win of BJP for the third term, has drawn great attention to him and pumped in new enthusiasm within the lotus party. His clean, progressive and effective governance has been venerated by his political opponents.

In contrast with his predecessor Keshubhai Patel, Modi has been both aggressive and performing. He had to resign following the Godhra riots, but has come back to power with a land-sliding victory of 127 out of 183 seats. His performace and steps taken towards a 'vibrant' Gujarat has shown results in just 2-3 years of his term, where the growth rate of 11.5% has been registered from a ill performing and drab Gujarat economy, which is projected to touch 14%. Gujarat has emerged to be the fastest growing state in India. Though there is a wide-spread criticism on the implementaion, perhaps Gujarat is the only liquor-free state in India. Branded as communal by the media after the riots, Modi has come out of it quite quickly, and proved that Gujarat would vote for his performance than the prevalent image then.

With his aggresive nature, Modi could deal successfully with the dissatisfied party cadre within the state, but again has attracted critisicm on his 'dictatorial' tendencies. His attitude towards the country's major problems: corruption and terrorism has won a significant admiration and interest towards him, both in Indians and NRIs. His government has been constantly innovating for improving the efficiency and productivity in various sectors. Though the Nanavati Commission has given a 'clearance' for Modi, the Tehelka and NDTV continue to haunt him with their 'sting' operations and venom spitting reporting. Ofcourse, even the veracity of the Commission's report is been questioned by the leading journalists. His open love for RSS has also brought some troubles to him, and the rejection of US VISA to him, has caused much hue-and-cry across the country. Even PM Manmohan Singh has expressed his dissatisfaction over this.

Personally, Modi is known to be a good orator and a skilled organiser. The reports says that BJP has won the last election in Gujarat, solely based on the 'Modi' factor and his slogan of 'Jeetega Gujarat'. Though Modi said that he would remain CM (Common Man, as what he said the abbreviation means), we would have to wait to witness whether Modi would come National to lead BJP in the near future.

Sheila Dikshit continues her unprecedented third term in the Capital of India. She was awarded the Best Chief Minister of India, by Journalist Association of India in 2008. She has been the mascot of 'clean chief minister' and her impeccable record has led Congress for a comfortable third win in the State elections. The results of the recent elections reflect that the people of Delhi have chosen 'performance' over the issues raised by BJP like 'terrorism'.

The reforms in the power sector, the delhi metro and good governance has won accolades for her from even the detractors from the Congress party. However, critics claim that her intimacy with '10, Janpath' is to be the chief factor for the unwavering support she has in the Delhi Congress. Ofcourse, she has been successful in winning the confidence of Ms.Sonia Gandhi, and was given freedom in being instrumental in deciding the party tickets for the Delhi elections. The 'unlikely politician': without any airs or show-off as like many of her collegues, Sheila is well known for being pleasant and gentle. The calm and quiet composure of Sheila perhaps reflects the 'wishes' of the Hastina's people and she was quite successful in meeting the expectations of the Delhi electorate for more than a decade.

Her occassional remarks have led to considerable controversies, albiet she has been successful in getting over them. She once remarked, "People from Bihar, UP and other places come here. What can we do? We can't stop them. There is no law to stop them". The same Mrs.Sheila also said, "Migration of Bangladeshis into India is not a new phenomenon as our borders are porous. Moreover, it has been in our tradition to welcome all those who arrive in our country." May be she couldn't manage a National image.

This might, however, be the last term of 71 year old Chief minister. Her services would be invaluable for Congress and hence she might be asked to play a crucial role in the CWC (Congress Working Committee), after the completion of this term.

Dr. Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy has sworn as the Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh after 9 year term of Telugu Desam party's Mr.N.Chandra Babu Naidu. Mr.Naidu who has won International recognition by then, and widely popular among India and abroad as 'Hi-tech CM', was a tough nut to crack for the opposition. It is by sheer hardwork of Mr.Reddy, that he could replace Naidu and has held complete term which is generally unlikely with any Congress Chief Minister of AP. Though YSR has been devout with his 'Indira' and 'Rajiv' mantra japa in all his programs and speeches, he has grown to be ubiquitious in AP Congress, and has been able to win the confidence of the party's Hi-command, to hold the complete term, and would probably be declared as the Chief ministerial candidate for the coming elections.

Mr.Reddy with his whole set of 'resplendent' welfare programs has been successful in reaching the door-steps of every common man in AP. The large scale irrigation projects started by him, have won both accolades as well as criticism for his Government. He stood in fore-front in the launch of these programs and also announced wide set of welfare schemes, whenever the party popularity seemed to be moving downwards. But, corruption has been the speed-breaker for his Government. 990 Cases 'successfull' cases registered with ACB (Anti Corruption Bureau) over the past few months, only reflects this. By appointing 'his' ministers, albeit some of them being inefficient and corrupt, he could also put a check on the dissent among his own party. He has also handled the oppostions like TDP and TRS, quite ably, much to everyone's surprise. All these prove that Mr.Reddy has done his home work well, and was prepared well for the challenge of being the CM, inspite of all the road-blocks that are present for a 'Congress' CM in AP in general.

With all this, Mr.Reddy has a long way ahead. We will have to wait and see whether he would be successful for the second time. Even if he doesnt, he would be a significant party member of Congress, who might hold crucial posts at the centre and the state.