We like to differ.

"PM Modi has been fielded as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate from the Varanasi constituency for the Lok Sabha Elections in 2024. He will contest against Comedian Shyam Rangeela, the Congress' Ajai Rai and Bahujan Samajwadi Party's (BSP) Athar Ali Lari." Mint. The BSP seeks to represent lower caste Hindus and minorities which, it claims, constitute the majority of the Indian population. wikipedia. Though Mr Modi's victory is certain, it will be made easier by the division of opposition votes between the Congress and BSP. Situated on the banks of the River Ganga, 'Kashi' is the ancient name for Varanasi, and Hindus believe (wikipedia) that anyone dying there will achieve 'moksha' or freedom from rebirth (wikipedia). "Today, after 10 years, I can say that Maa (Mother) Ganga has adopted me. In the last 10 years, I have been so connected with Kashi that whenever I speak, I say that it's my Kashi. It's like a relationship between a mother and a son," said Mr Modi. In Mahabharata, Bhishma was the only surviving son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga and was hence known as 'Gangaputra' (son of Ganga). wikipedia. Bhishma was a lifelong celibate. Mr Modi has been married to Jashodaben, but his brother Sombhai Modi said that Mr Modi's marriage was arranged and was never consummated. wikipedia. Mr Modi's followers are known as 'Bhakts' which means 'believers' (DH) because they believe in anything he says. They will readily accept Mr Modi as Gangaputra II. One major difference is that Bhishma was blessed with the power of choosing the time of his own death, known as 'Ichcha Mrityu' (wikipedia) and, so far as we know, Mr Modi has not been blessed with such power. In April, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi...said big and powerful people in India and abroad have joined hands to remove him from power." ET. "If social media is any indication, venerable publications such as The Economist, The New York Times, Financial Times (FT) et al are mercilessly pilloried today for promoting their own political agenda and failure to comprehend an assertive, self-confident India," wrote Swapan Dasgupta. Perhaps Mr Dasgupta is unaware that, "The idea of a squadron of government officials storming a newsroom to shut down news-gathering and seize laptops and phones of journalists would send shivers up the spine of anyone who values a free and open democracy. However, the current Indian government routinely uses national interest as a smokescreen to raid news houses critical of it," wrote Simran Agarwal. "In an open letter, a group of India-based foreign correspondents have strongly protested the treatment meted out Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reporter Avani Dias, who left India...saying the government had made it too difficult for her to work here any longer." The Wire. If India is so "assertive, self-confident" why so scared of criticism? Why was Disha Ravi forcibly arrested by Delhi Police from her home in Bengaluru for a simple toolkit relating to farmers' protest in 2021? wikipedia. Bhakts may worship Mr Modi as Gangaputra II, but some of us would like to differ. If allowed.