This might be a trivial issue among the hundreds on the national agenda for the elections. For all practical purposes, Narendra Modi is the next prime minister. Yet, amid hundreds of trivialities written and aired these days, let us add one: Modi’s marital status.

It is a non-issue, so much that some newspapers like The Hindu have preferred not to report it. All the same, some facts. Here is the affidavit (in Gujarati) Modi has filed for his candidature from Vadodara.

It mentions ‘Jashodaben’ as “lagnasathi”, or spouse. Here is the one he filed while contesting the December 2012 assembly elections.

This one, like the previous ones, has a long dash in the space meant for the spouse’s name and details. With apologies to all Modi fans, this can only mean two things: either he provided insufficient information in the previous affidavits, or he lied. In either case, some action should be coming forth but even the Congress seems so disheartened to take up the issue, so there is no point expecting any action.

Meanwhile, forget his boast that he is incorruptible because he is a bachelor. Not acknowledging wife as wife for all these years while going out of the way to protect or snoop on other women is indeed a non-issue. The prime minister in waiting lying on oath is a non-issue. But then this was not the first time. From Gujarat being the fastest growing state to having a 56-inch chest, every claim from Modi is exaggerated. Modi fans better take note.