Narendra Modi is the 14th Prime Minister of India, holding office since May 2014. He is the first prime minister born after India’s independence and a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Prior to becoming the nation’s prime minister, Modi served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, where he gained national prominence. He represents the Varanasi constituency in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha, a seat he has held since 2014.
Narendra Modi joined the RSS, the BJP’s ideological parent, in the 1970s and joined the BJP in 1987. The following year he was chosen as the party’s general secretary for Gujarat. Modi took oath as Gujarat CM in 2001, after replacing Keshubhai Patel, who was held responsible for the government’s poor response to the Bhuj earthquake. Modi contested his first-ever election in 2002, shortly after which the Gujarat riots fueled controversy over his leadership. The Supreme Court in 2022 gave a clean chit to Modi and 63 others in a plea exploring a larger conspiracy behind the riots.
Known for his extensive foreign tours, Modi has been credited with raising India’s global profile. Events like “Howdy Modi” in the U.S. and his visits to countries such as Israel, Japan, and the UAE have underscored his foreign policy successes. He is said to have developed strong relations with top world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, Modi’s leadership has been marked by several controversial statements, especially leading up to the 2024 elections. These include remarks on national security, religion, and political opposition, which have ignited debates.
As with US hegemony over the world on the eve of the invasion of Iraq, there was a recent uniploar moment in Indian politics, but it has passed. Neither 2 for the BJP in 1984 nor 44 for the Congress in 2014 was meant to be carved in stone. Instead of pursuing the impractical idea of simultaneous polls, it would be better if the union government makes optimum use of its national mandate, not allowing the independent cycle of state elections to become a distraction. Electioneering at the cost of a laser like focus on governance and economic development can also exact a political price.