Deviating from the tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to be with flood sufferer s of Kashmir this Diwali is a gesture aimed at sending a message to the people of the Valley that the whole nation stands by them in their hour of need. He wants to tell them it is him, who is with them in their hardships, and not the terrorists or Pakistan. By extending solidarity with the people Modi is trying to create a link which will have long time dividends. Days after Modi took over as Gujarat Chief Minister, he had spent the 2001 Diwali with earthquake-hit people of Bhuj. There were no celebrations and Modi showed solidarity with the people. He had taken his entire state Cabinet and officials with him to Chaubari village. He had asked the people what they needed and took immediate action. Modi plans to emulate something similar in J and K. Many flood victims feel that Modi’s visit will not be just symbolic and the Prime Minister will announce a comprehensive plan so that the State and its people are able to rebuild the infrastructure destroyed by the floods. With Assembly elections likely in year end, Modi’s visit is bound to be given a political colour by the Opposition. This is how the Indian politics has been crawling over the years. The State witnessed the worst floods in the past 100 years, affecting more than 1.5 lakh people. Nearly 300 people were killed in the floods with widespread damage to public and private properties. Modi had also visited the State soon after the floods to survey the damage. The Diwali visit will be his fourth since he took over as PM in May.
