"The young voters do not seem to be influenced by what happened in 2002 in Gujarat," Thakurta told IANS. "Modi's ability to control corruption in Gujarat weighed down allegations that he remained mute spectator as over 1,000 Muslims were killed at the hands of Hindu right wing mobs."
The fact that no court of law has been able to convict him for the riots, adds to his credibility.
"So far, nowhere has it been proved that he was directly or indirectly linked with the killings. Why should the so-called allegations of communalism stop us from endorsing him," asked Kallol Das Gupta, a KPO services owner based in Kolkata.
Added to it, Rahul Gandhi came across as immature, often failing to articulate his policy on important matters, whether in respect to the dwindling economy or at crisis situation such as the nationwide protests which followed the Dec 16 Delhi gang rape.
"A lot of people would have loved to connect with Rahul Gandhi who is a young politician. But he is generally seen as immature. He remained elusive till as late as the 15th Parliament was dissolved. And when he did give interviews, he looked uncomfortable and his answers on important matters of inflation and unemployment looked unconvincing," Azhar Hajini, TV anchor and host of Goodmorning J&K aired on DD Kashir, told IANS.
Hajini further said the money pumped in for the BJP's election campaign too was a factor in influencing the youth towards Modi.
