Narendra Modi versus Nitish Kumar: who has the edge?
The past eight years have been a story of the meteoric rise of two Chief Ministers. Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar have led their respective states, breaking all records for Chief Ministers, most of which are unknown outside their home states. And now, it looks like they might clash, with both having Prime Ministerial ambitions.
So who has the edge? Who has the greater appeal? Read on to find out whether NaMo or NiKu has the upper hand, heading into 2014:
1. Beard: While both had impressive grey beards when they started out as CMs, NaMos has become more white and more Santa-Claus like, while NiKus has all but vanished, leaving him with stubble like Sylvester Stallone when he forgets to shave. Were going to call this one a tie, because all beards are badass.
2. Name abbreviation: While both NaMo and NiKu are good abbreviations, were going to go with NaMo , since NiKu A. hasnt really caught on with the press or with the public at large and B. sounds like it would be a good nickname for a toddler or child. So, unless he changes his name or someone thinks of a different abbreviation, Nitish Kumar loses this one.
3. Enemies of corruption: Both have waged long wars against corruption in their states, and both have put money-grubbing ministers behind bars. We feel, however, that this one goes to NiKu by a small margin, since he had 15 years of Lalu rule to clean up when he came to power in 2005. Either way, we arent likely to see a 2G scam from either of them.
4. Complaining about the Central Government: Both NaMo and NiKu have more complaints about the government in Delhi than a wife whose husband recently lost his job. Every day, one or the other (or both) is seen in a rally, protesting that the Congress has completely ignored their states demands. We dont know if this is political posturing or actual stepmotherly treatment, but its a tie either way.
5. Jockeying for the Best CM tag: Every statement that either NaMo or NiKu makes in the press is about the development in their states, and how Gujarat/Bihar should be a model for the entire country. Looking at them, we are reminded of the Salman-SRK rivalry, or the Kamal-Rajini rivalry.
6. Weight: Now that weve exhausted all the vaguely sensible parameters, its time to come to the last, and least appearance. And since weve already covered beards, weight would probably be the next thing to look at. No one wants another Deve Gowda, who could get stuck in his chair. This one, too, is a tie, because both NaMo and NiKu are non-drinkers who eat moderately.
