The Modi government refers to the cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who became the 14th Prime Minister of India in May 2014. The government is headed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a coalition of political parties.
Under Modi’s leadership, the government has focused on transformative initiatives aimed at economic growth, infrastructure development, and national security. Some of the landmark policies include the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), demonetisation of high-value currency notes in 2016, and the controversial revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which ended the region’s special status. The Modi government has also emphasized initiatives such as ‘Make in India,’ ‘Digital India,’ ‘Skill India,’ and the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ (Clean India Mission).
While it has received praise for boosting economic growth and improving infrastructure, it has also faced significant criticism. Its handling of the anti-CAA protests, the 2020 farmers’ protests, and issues surrounding the delivery of data—such as the absence of a national census and the lack of transparency regarding COVID-19 death tolls—has sparked public debate. The government has also been criticized for its response to social issues, such as the Hathras rape case and the conflict in Manipur.
Despite these challenges, the Modi government, now in its third term, continues to maintain a dominant political presence, securing electoral victories at both state and national levels.
Consensus? It is quite difficult to suddenly try and build consensus when all you have done for over a decade in power is trample over friends and foe alike. Wounded egos will be eager for their pound of flesh, each. Very perilous outcome for the Union but one that was on the cards as we set about dismantling Parliamentary Committees, cross floor dialogue between parties and weakening the federal structure in the name of swift and assured action. So much for decisive leadership. It is a national shame!
Viewed objectively, how has political paramountcy translated into stellar outcomes over the last ten years that “ too much democracy “ aka coalition compulsions precluded in the past. One big factor behind the disappointing result in June was widespread discontent amongst ordinary Indians about what the last decade had delivered to them. So, even if this was not a political compulsion, a changed approach to governance, building consensus over tough reforms, is something a wise, responsive government would have done anyway.
Delimitation is dangerous for the country. It should not be done without taking the southern states into confidence.