?Compromise is not part of Modi?s political lexicon?

With talk of Narendra Modi becoming prime ministerial candidate of the BJP getting louder by the day, a biography of the man, Narendra Modi The Man. The Times, seems relevant. Author Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay tells Ivinder Gill about his experiences while writing the book.

Your book is said to be an authorised-turned-unauthorised biography of Narendra Modi. At what stage did you lose access to him?

This was never supposed to be an authorised biography. There was clear understanding with Modi that the manuscript would not be shared at any time. When I decided to write his biography, I sought time from him and made it clear that the interactions would be long and more than one. It helped that I had interacted with Modi when he was a party functionary and though we had not met since he became chief minister, he remembered me and my writings. At some point during the course of writing this book, he chose to disconnect, though for reasons best known to him. Despite several attempts, I failed to get in touch with him towards the latter part of the writing.

How many meetings did you have with him during the course of writing this book?

I had several interactions with Modi?personal as well as on the phone. Each interaction was smooth and he opened up. There are detailed narratives of this in the book.

How much of the book is from the horse?s mouth, so to speak?

A lot of the book is from the horse?s mouth, except on occasions when the horse chose to shut himself up. Each of his assertions have been cross-checked, as I was meticulous in my research. The book has also relied on existing research material and interviews and accounts of others.

What is the most startling/ unknown facet of Modi that you have been able to make public through the book?

The most startling facet of Modi?s personality is the complete confidence in his own thinking and the total disdain he has for the viewpoint of others. He is convinced that compromise is not to be part of his political lexicon and that others must accept him on his own terms and not vice-versa.

How successful do you think you have been in unveiling the man?

I think I have been able to touch his deepest core, and the reader after completing the book will feel that she or he has complete understanding of the mind of Modi. Readers will also feel that Modi has descended from his pedestal and come to dwell in their midst.