Hailed for the so-called Gujarat model and his power to attract businesses and raise funds from the Gujarat diaspora (mainly), Modi is equally hated for the Hindutwa badge he openly wears and for the notorious anti-Muslim riots in his home state, while he was in power. Markedly different from both Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejariwal due to his humble origins and educational background, Modi's gradual rise in BJP national politics is with out any parallel in recent times. Especially at a time when BJP is facing a geriatric crisis of sorts in terms of central leadership and a total bankruptcy as far as fresh ideas are concerned.

Modi is seeking election from both Vadodara in Gujarat and Varanasi in UP. In Varanasi his opponent is none other than Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal.

More than a storm in a tea cup?

The son of a tea seller, Narendra Modi enjoys a strong support base from within the ranks of the middle-class and business leaders in the country.

An administrative success or not, he remains a polarising figure, even within his own party, and opponents worry that his premiership will undermine India's secular traditions.

A yoga-lover and strict vegetarian, Modi is steeped in the ideology of Hindu nationalism, having joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a boy.

Modi’s impact on three entities –minorities, markets and political enemies - define the love-him-or-hate-him relationship people have with this man who owns a self-proclaimed 56-inch chest. Let's not speculate on the importance of that measurement.

Modi and enemies

The long-drawn-out election campaign has ensured that Modi made more enemies than friends. He turned out to be more than lucky that the spat did not affect his prospects. The BJP is not at the mercy of any other paty this time to form a government at the centre. But there were many anxious moments during the campaign.  

Modi and minorities

Now that is another important area. Modi's pursuit of the Hindutwa agenda and the approach to the minorities under his rule has been the subject of many media investigations and legal probes- and the results were almost always against his administration.

He has repeatedly resisted calls to apologise over communal riots which erupted in Gujarat soon after he came to power in 2002.

 

Modi and the business community

Of all the facets that determine Modi's political persona, this is perhaps the most crucial in catapulting the Gujarat Chief Minister to the top of the prime ministerial race. No wonder Modi's political fate swings are almost immediately reflected in the Indian markets which is going through one of the most volatile phases in its history.