While most psephologists have already
given a thumbs - up to Modi, they also believe that a BJP led government is
inevitable. This sentiment seems to be traveling to the west as well, and many
western powers with the USA in lead and its continental cousin the UK in toe are softening their anti-Modi tirade.
While the counting will start
in a few days, the exit polls predict a sweep for Modi. Surprisingly, the sweep
is not for BJP so much, as for Modi. For once, I think, the electorate wanted
respite from non-issues and desired affirmative policies and sustainable
growth.
There is of course a lurking
doubt, that not being able to conjure up the requisite numbers, the party may
need support from allies and instead of the BJP, it may be the NDA that forms
the Government. In such a case, the candidature of Modi, may be contested and
Rajnath Singh may emerge as the consensus candidate. While administratively, he
is more sound than Modi, and has handled a state that is far more diverse and
larger than Modi’s Gujarat, he is clearly more soft than Modi, and his policies
may be more inclusive for minorities.
When I say, the policies are
more inclusive for the minorities, I mean that the appeasement to minorities
that may stop with Modi coming to power would continue if not in the same
blatant measure as during the congress regime, yet in sufficient and calibrated
measure under Rajnath Singh. While Modi may have started as a RSS Pracharak,
today he is far removed from the philosophy of the Sangh, as that philosophy despises
self-adulation, in which as of now, Modi is steeped in. The RSS is clearly a
movement and philosophy and is never about an individual.
While till date the west has off and on treated Modi as a pariah, it is aligning itself to the writing on the
wall, and seems to be warming up the Modi and his brand of governance. It is
very important to understand the latter or actually what the west understands
from the latter. The Modi brand of governance would be more independent, more
resurgent and more nationalist, less tentative and more definitive. Whether
that is true or not, is yet to be tested, but that is the common perception
from all quarters.
Hereafter, it would not be easy
for American diplomatic cadres or the department of State to push India over, or
gloss over its priorities or ignore its point of view at international fora.
A hitherto weak-kneed and
hesitating government would usually gulp all inane, humiliating and even crass
remarks often made by global leaders and be ready to genuflect particularly in
front of USA. And letting off without a rebuttal Barack Obama’s remark on
Indians consuming more food and fuel as reason for prices increasing in the USA
was clearly an act of such qualification.
A friend in RAW with nationalist
moorings told me, that Manmohan Singh always addressed Obama as Sir in
telephone calls, all of which are taped and therefore a matter of record. It is
sad for the head of the largest democracy of the world to be so obsequious. But
that was the quality that Sonia Gandhi saw in Manmohan Singh when she
handpicked him for the PM’s post. A rare yet classic combination of intellect
and subservience.
I only hope the new government will
work consistent to national needs and lay the foundation for a strong and
resurgent India.
