Myth n Reality
CII for Rahul Gandhi and FICCI for Modi? Is that how's it's going to be?
Rahul Gandhi at CII, Narendra Modi at FICCI? Is that an unspoken commentary on how corporate support is going to pan out in the run up to the forthcoming general elections? Or is one reading too much between the lines?
But close on the heels of the maiden speech by the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family at the CII Annual General Meeting and National Conference 2013 in the Capital on Thursday, comes the report that Narendra Modi , Chief Minister of Gujarat and the Congress Party's bête noir will be addressing the FICCI Ladies' Organisation in the Capital. Mr. Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, will 'share his entrepreneurial acumen with women entrepreneurs to enable them unleash their entrepreneurial spirits at the 29th Annual Session of the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) on April 8, 2013', says the FICCI release. Is that simply a coincidence? Or is there more to it than meets the eye?
One can only conjecture. But the reading fits in very well with the widespread perception of the two main chambers of commerce in the country. CII is seen as the face of the more suave, Westernised corporate while FICCI is seen as the 'den' of the traditional (family-run) Indian business houses. Likewise Rahul Gandhi is seen as more Westernised and cosmopolitan, compared to Modi's more homespun ways.
Of course there are many corporates who are members of both CII and FICCI so it might not be quite correct to typecast the two chambers. Nonetheless the image of CII as the more Westernised and FICCI as more home-grown has tended to stick. But does that necessarily translate into political support on the same lines – CII for the Westernised Rahul and FICCI for the quintessentially Indian Modi? Or are Indian corporates, in their usual smart way, simply hedging their bets and playing safe?
Watch out for further action in the coming days! What's indisputable is that we're heading for 'interesting times'!
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