FOCUS - APRIL 2024

ELECTION – 2024 – 2029

How Formidable is Narendra Modi for opposition to Challenge!

But who is Modi – Narendra Damordas Modi? A resident of Vadnagar, in north eastern Mehsana district of Gujarat where he completed his schooling. Born in Sept 1950, he started to attend the local RSS Shakha at the age of 8, where he met his future mentor Laxman Rao Inamdar. Public space informs that, he used to help his father in his tea stall in Vadnagar railway station. There appears to be some confusion on this, since it was only in 1970, the railway station was set-up in Vadnagar. But, there’s also a mention that Vadnagar had a meter guage train running since 1930, which means, there could have been some shelter which could pass-off as a railway station. At the age of 17, probably after finishing his schooling, he left home for Ramakrishna Math Ashram in Rajkot, then to Ramakrishna Ashram Belur Math in West Bengal and from there to Almora to be in Swami Vivekananda’s Ashram.

Public space also informs that he returned in 1971, when he was 21. Those 4 years of youthful life of Narendra Modi was spent in the company of ascetic men, when usually youth could be wasting their free time in meaningless pursuits. This tells something clearly different from most Indians of his age. What and who inspired him to visit and stay in Ramakrishna Ashrams? He is a voracious reader which exposed him to varieties of subjects and personalities.

On returning he took up a job in the canteen of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, but soon thereafter he became a full time RSS pracharak. During Indira Gandhi’s state-of-emergency – 1975 – 77 – he was to have disguised himself as a Sikh and remained active underground. According to the sources in Malayala Manorama, in 1978 Narendra Modi was graduated through distance education in Political Science from Delhi University. Same source informs that in 1983 he did his masters from Gujarat University.

In 1995 recognizing his leadership qualities, Narendra Modi was made the National Secretary of BJP and thus shifted to New Delhi. However he played a pivotal role in the 1995 Gujarat assembly election which helped BJP have its first government in Gandhi Nagar.

In 1998, he was made the General Secretary of BJP. His life in RSS and then in BJP, besides his years with Ramakrishna Math have all impacted his appointment into party politics of BJP. Clearly, the then leadership of BJP was convinced of his mettle and dedication to the cause of the nation. That’s how they couldn’t think of anyone else in Gujarat to replace the sick and ailing Chief Minister Keshav Bhai Patel, than Narendra Modi. He was parachuted from Delhi into the seat of power in Gandhi Nagar in late 2001.

Barely six months into his tenure of CM, the Godhra incident erupted in February 2002. Despite the controversy that rages on, the courts have given Modi a clean chit.

He remained there, continued as Chief Minister for an uninterrupted period of 13/14 years when in 2014, he became the Prime Minister of India, on an inspired BJP campaign of “ABKI BAAR MODI SARKAR”. It’s true that in his political journey from Gandhi Nagar to New Delhi he has stamped on the Achilles-foot of many big guns in BJP.

We all need to recognize that, it takes a great deal of personal strength, charisma and intelligence to lead others. Some leaders change and improve the lives of their fellow citizens while others rule with an iron fist. A controversy that comes up occasionally, is his educational qualifications. This controversy is akin to Obama’s Birth Certificate conspiracy. PM Modi can be awarded an honorary degree from any number of universities. Another issues is that he left his wife. But he still considers himself married. No person is perfect. Mistakes have been made. These issues along with others have spawned a number of trolls that constantly berate Modi in posts on X, and other media. These trolls like Jairam Ramesh and Sanjay Jha serve as useful idiots of no consequences. Their barbs bounce off of Modi like water off a Duck’s back.

There is a constant accusation of crony capitalism with individuals such as Adani and Ambani being recipients of favors. But the fact is large companies are engines of economic growth. They not only generate jobs directly, they also spur opportunities that help grow the unorganized sector.

“The Prime Minister of India, is popular, powerful and controversial. His supporters see him as visionary and decisive leader that India needs to-day. Those on the other side of the political divide see him as a polarizing figure. So who exactly is Narendra Modi? Is he decisive or divisive? Is he an authoritarian or a democrat?” wrote Sanjay Hegde, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court, while commenting on the book ‘Narendra Modi: ISSUES & CONCERNS’. There were similar observations from others as well. “His fans and followers adore him. His opponents only want to deride him. But, if one rises above these two extremes, there’s much to learn from the Modi phenomenon”, wrote Devdutt Pattanaik. According to him “currently Modi is establishing a sama-rajya- as compared to swa-rajya, a raja mandala, based on the sheer strength of his personality. We can use all the democratic jargon to explain his rise. But seen through a different civilizational lens, it makes lot of sense. Modi has defied all manner of obstacles, personal and institutional. He has overcome challenges from lawyers, judges, regulatory bodies, even religious leaders who have argued what constitutes sacredness for temples and rituals. He has done this all alone, rising from within the ranks of an organization which is now beholden to the powerful force he has become”.

His period of 13/14 years chief minister-ship of Gujarat has witnessed change on such massive scale that it has come to be referred to as Gujarat Model. While it is true that all of it may not carry the weight of conviction it is simply difficult to dismiss it as wishful thinking. Or else he can’t be there for so long ruling the roost in Gandhi Nagar coming from nowhere and vacate only to rise higher to become the Prime Minister to rule India, and to remain there for a continuous 10 years without break! Now, as it is visible, there is every sign that he may continue beyond this 10 years as the Prime Minister of India.

No wonder, Arun Sinha, a writer and journalist writes “It would indeed be a miracle if the I.N.D.I. Alliance succeeds in dethroning Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024. The opposition block simply do not have any answer to the Modi supporters’ argument: “He is doing good work. The economy is doing well, people’s lives are improving. He has freed Hinduism from the secular prison. Why should we not vote for him?” Difficult question to dismiss off hand.

According to him “It would have been easier to defeat Modi if he were an ordinary politician. But he is an extraordinary politician. His religious outlook comes from RSS schooling. But his economic outlook is entirely his own. He is a great champion of FREE MARKET – LAISSEZ – FAIRE economy – ‘If we give everything to market, the market will give us everything’. Unlike RSS, Modi is ultra-liberal, more in sync with champions of free trade”.

“How does the I.N.D.I. Alliance bloc combat a political foe who is a formidable amalgam of religious ultra-liberalism and economic ultra-liberalism?” asks Arun Sinha.

So how is the I.N.D.I Alliance going to challenge the incumbent Prime Minister only with the help of aggregation of votes!?

It’s true, if aggregation takes place in its entirety, no ruling combine can withstand its broken flood gate. But the million $ question is, will it happen! The answer is an emphatic ‘NO’. But truth also is, if all Hindus decide to support NDA and its Superman Narendra Modi, no power in India can displace the incumbent Prime Minister. However Hindus are a divided house, since a large section is driven by motives other than national interest. Of course there have been a kind of exodus of those fence-sitters and also the entrenched ones on the other side. Therefore the chances of Narendra Modi and his team going home with the trophy is a fair possibility.

Then you have this development story of the last 10 years, which is there for all to see. A social media post which has gone viral has this to say, ‘BJP with Narendra Modi as Prime Minister has fulfilled many promises. Ram Mandir, CAA/NRC, New Education Policy, abrogated Article 370, strengthened defense forces, tightened NGO’s who are into anti-India activities, Tightened Naxals, worked to make India 5th largest economy, managed corona and developed vaccines, created Kashi corridor, conquered space, erased signs of slavery, greatly improved infrastructure, increased number of IIT, AIIMS. No corruption at ministry level, introduced GST, peace in Kashmir, no terror attacks, mobile manufacturing increased, 100% electrification of railways, elimination of railway gates, Vande Bharat Trains, destroyed Pakistan without firing any bullet, contained China, Medical insurances under Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojna, Skill India Mission, Make in India, Mission Swachh Bharat, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, Shramev Jayate Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Hridaya Yojna, PM Mudra Yojna, Ujala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Total pension Yojna, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna, Smart city initiative, AMRUT Strategy, Mission for Digital India, Gold Monetization Plan, Scheme for Sovereign Gold Bonds, Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), Start-up India, Gramoday Se Bharat Uday, Prime Minister Ujjwala’s Plan, Namami Gange Yojana, Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT Scheme).

Actually, his Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is the most imaginative and people friendly initiative in empowering the last man out there. Malyala Manorama, a leading member of the print media has this to say, and we quote “Prime Minister Modi’s amibitious financial inclusion scheme kicked off on August 28, 2014. The scheme aims to accomplish the objective of providing basic banking accounts with a debit card with inbuilt accident insurance. Its main features include Rs 5,000 overdraft facility for Aadhar-linked accounts, RuPay Debit Card with inbuilt Rs 1 lakh accident insurance cover and minimum monthly remuneration of Rs 5,000 to business correspondents who will provide the last link between the account holders and the bank. The banking network is all set to open bank accounts of the uncovered households in both rural and urban areas. In fact, the banking sector would be expanding itself to set up an additional 50,000 business correspondents, more than 7,000 branches and more than 20,000 new ATMs un the first phase. The long term vision of the Jan Dhan Yojana is to lay the foundation of a cashless economy and is complementary to Digital India Scheme.”

This is what the Pakistan media had to say “Narendra Damordas Modi has taken India into a height that no one can imagine, he has taken his country’s economy into next level. Modi came to power in 2014 with the promise to turn India around. The stats shows us that whether he was successful or not. First let’s talk about GDP. In 2014 India’s GDP was 1.3 trillion dollars which increased to 3.1 trillion dollars in 2022 which means he has increased the GDP more than double. India’s growth percent was 138%. When GDP of the country increases the salary of people also increases. Which is called GDP Per capita. In 2014 India’s GDP Per capita was $ 965 which currently is $ 2256. There was an increase of 133% in GDP Per capita. India’s forex reserves in 2014 was $ 303 billion and in 2023 it has increased to $ 578 billion. Export of India in 2014 was $ 231 billion and in 2023 it is $ 670 billion. India’s inflation rate is 5.6%. Modi had started scheme known as Pradhan Mantri Avas Yojana under which he has built 2 crore houses in 7 years.

India’s IT export amounts to 156 billion $.

India has increased investments on agriculture by 3 or 4 times. Sex ratio in India has moved toward the favor of females, 1020 females for 1000 males. Modi started a scheme Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, under this initiative he gave special importance to females. Separate toilets were arranged for them. Their sanitary health was subsidized.

After 40 years NEP was finalized. More IITs and AIIMS were established. Startups created 23 lakhs jobs. 320 new universities were created. In 2020 Olympics India gained 7 medals.

When Modi came to power the interest rate was 10.3% which has now become 6.65%. In 2014 India’s defence exports were Rs 1,941 crore and in 2021 it has become 11,607 crore. Ease of doing business in 2014 was 142 which has now become 53 which shows foreign interest and people’s interest in investment.

Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Panel has published a report using Satellite imagery and date based analysis of built up surfaces comprising of roads, railways, residential and commercial buildings, provides a factual and indisputable indication of growth. This translates to jobs. It also counters the myth that the rural Bharat is lagging. The study shows that progress in Rural Bharat exceeds progress in Urban Bharat.

PM Modi is a man in hurry. His rush in getting things done results in the opposition crying foul of being neglected or ignored. That democracy is being desecrated. Regardless of criticism and contrarian opinion, Bharat is surging ahead. Bharat’s statue in the international arena has risen. Accolades are being heaped by leaders across the world. For a country as diverse as Bharat, with the world’s largest performance, there are miles to go, before one can sleep.

Thus, with the often said circulars vihai, it is indeed formidable, if not unbeatable, at least for the avoidable opposition combination to make a match of ELECTION – 2024-29. So, its over to our discernible voters of Mother India to vote for India that is Bharat.