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Political setbacks diminish India PM Modi’s strongman image

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public gathering at Jerenga Pathar (in the Sivasagar region of India’s Assam state) on Jan. 23, 2021.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoys his reputation as a powerful and determined leader. The premier made a dramatic U-turn however. abandoned controversial farm laws after year-long protests — a move one analyst called a “public policy failure.”

“While I am sorry to the countrymen today, I would like to admit that maybe there must have been a defect… that we couldn’t explain the truth to the brothers farmer farmers as light by the lamp.” Modi said in a national televised addressLast November

He declared, “I would like to inform you all, the country,” that we had decided to abolish all three laws relating to agriculture. 

The laws passed in India by the parliament on September 2020. This triggered months of protests which saw many thousands of farmers taking to the streets. The reforms would have removed state protections that have shielded India’s farmers for decades, and subject them to unfettered free-market mechanisms where competition would be high.

Modi made this one of his biggest policy changes since taking office in 2014. This rare apology was a humiliating moment for Modi, who discovered there are downsides to his strongman style.

Akhilbery, Asia Society Policy Institute director for South Asia Initiatives said, “This isn’t Modi’s first policy failure.” He stated that Modi’s political defeat on agriculture reforms showed “that there are limits to his power,” as he said to CNBC.

A hallmark of Modi’s governing style has been the use of executive power, with little public debate for “big bang” reforms or policy declarations, said Neelanjan Sircar, a senior visiting fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi.

Modi must change his course if the government cannot withstand criticism and protest.

Neelanjan Sircar

Centre for Policy Research

“Yet we do not see many success stories when we examine some of these notable efforts to use executive authority in this way,” he said.

“Whether [it’s]Sircar stated that land use modifications, changes to India’s citizenship rules, or agricultural reforms have forced the government to either reverse or halt its policies. Modi will not be able to stop criticism and protest, and Modi will suffer. He must seek to change the course of his government.

State polls with high stakes

The prime minister couldn’t have made these policy mistakes at a more critical time as India goes to polls in key states this February/March.

The state elections of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab in Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Goa, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttarakhand will provide a key indicator of public sentiment before the 2024 general election. Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) controls four of the five states.

“The upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh will be a key test for his popularity — whether or not people are growing disenchanted with his governing style,” said Bery.

“In certain parts of the State, yes, he’ll be a drag Particularly for westerners [Uttar Pradesh]If there are strong farmers, it is possible to have a government. “These farmers are quite against the government because of the farm laws,” he said.

Modi, however, remains India’s most loved leader. The data intelligence agency Morning ConsultHe is the most popular of the leaders worldwide they track and has a solid base in India.

Critique of Covid handling

However, India’s second Covid-19 attack last year saw the popularity of the Prime Minister eroded.

India Today “Mood of the Nation” survey released in August,Only 24% felt Modi was the right choice to be the next Prime Minister at the time. This was an abrupt decline on 38% who voted for Modi in January 2021.

One of the main reasons for ratings drops was the manner he handled the Covid crisis These economic worries include rising inflation and increasing unemployment.

Modi’s extensive campaigning and holding rallies in large numbers while India was at the center of the conflict were widely criticised. It was the worst case of the Delta outbreak. public health system.

He can, undoubtedly, make a comeback. Modi has continuously reinvented his self since 2001.

Milan Vaishnav

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

A carefully crafted personality

Modi, despite his present political difficulties, is a skilled politician who is adept at reinventing his self to protect his meticulously crafted image, according to Milan Vaishnav, senior fellow and director, South Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

He can, undoubtedly,” he said. From 2001 to date, Modi has constantly reinvented himself — from Hindu strongman to CEO prime minister. You don’t always know his next avatar. He has always been one step ahead of his opposition,” Vaishnav said.

Modi has another advantage due to India’s fractured opposition that has not capitalized on Modi’s political missteps.

Sircar, from the Centre for Policy Research said that “The Congress party seems to be in the doldrums on a national scale.” “The rise in India of so-called ‘third parties,’ on the national scene is an indication of this problem. It is unclear whether the opposition can put up much of a fight in electoral terms, whether unified or not.”

The hardline tone will continue

But one thing is clear. Modi’s hardline approach to state elections is not likely to change. Political analysts believe this is apparent in Modi’s current tone, and the tenor of his campaign thus far.  

Modi’s Delhi governance style has been refined over a period of 12 years living in Gujarat. This is evident in his character as both a person, and as a leader. Vaishav explained that his style is not conducive to building coalitions and dispersing power.

Recent events in India have shown that even though they may be popular, political leaders can still be defeated.

Neelanjan Sircar

Centre for Policy Research

The one thing “we’ve learned from Indian politics is that political actors — whether Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi or Mamata Banerjee, rarely change their governing and organizational tactics,” said Sircar, adding the prime minister will not abandon his hardline tactics in order to limit the political damage to his image.

Modi’s populist image is mostly due to his inability or unwillingness to make policy. Sircar stated that the problem is not in projecting a “person of faith” to his population.

He said, “The recent Indian events have shown that even though they may be very popular in India,”

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