Chai pe Kharcha

It was the ubiquitous tea that was a game-changer for the BJP government. Now, an expensive ‘Modi chai’ is leaving a bad taste among rural youth in the state
It was a simple, game-changing ‘Chai pe Charcha’ that catapulted Narendra Modi to national fame. In the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Modi had addressed a series of ‘Chai pe Charcha’ (connect with the electorate over a cup of tea) programmes that received tremendous response. Even US President Barrack Obama was charmed by PM Modi serving up the brew from a silver teapot on the lawns of Hyderabad House when he came visiting.

GANDHI LOST IN MODI'S MODEL

Ahmedabad'shallmark of consensual politics inherited from Gandhi is being replaced bytop-down private sector approach to urban development that has no room for thepoor. This is the conclusion of a study funded by Bill and Melinda GatesFoundation

SUSHILABEN MANIBHAI NAIDU, 44

The government did not provide any financial assistance while displacing us. We have created these huts with our savings. The place is very unsafe for girls and being a mother of four girls I am always concerned about their safety. My husband had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that our entire family would commit suicide if we weren't provided with houses but we never got a response.

Books on Modi a hit with readers

Theelection fever may have cooled down in the city but the Modi fever stillcontinues. And this was witnessed at the recently concluded book fair when books on BJP'sprime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi attractedthe attention of the visitors.    

The bestsellers included Modi, Muslims and Media: Voices from Narendra Modi’s Gujarat, Narendra Modi: A Political Biography and Sakshibhaav.

“This year the fair recorded the lowest footfall compared to last two years. However, books on chief minister (CM) Narendra Modi were amongst the most popular ones,” said Asoke Shukla of a publishing house, Rajpal and Sons.

As the nation went to polls, the book fair was replete with books about the CM.