In India, the euphoria over Narendra Modi leading his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies to power refuses to die out even as he completed 100 days in office.
A large section of the Indian media as well as Modi’s staunch supporters continue to project him as a leader who is as much at ease with himself in domestic politics as he is during official foreign trips. Modi looked sure-footed during his just-concluded four-day visit to Japan. One of his spin doctors excitedly claimed that he was fast becoming an Asian phenomenon.
In his home state of Gujarat, where he ruled as its chief minister for 13 years, Modi is known among his admirers as a man of surprises. This was on full display on the day he took oath as the prime minister. He invited heads of governments of all neighbouring countries to his oath-taking ceremony, including arch-rival Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. This had never happened in India before. It was Modi’s decision alone and very few in the party knew about it until it was made public.
It was indeed a dramatic beginning to his reign in Delhi and it won him plaudits in India and its neighbourhood. Since then, he has not been able to sustain the hype he had created, but has been a busy man in office
Modi’s model of governance in Gujarat had been marked by close control over both the party and government. On assuming power in Delhi, he moved fast and furiously to exert a complete control over his party by ensuring the appointment of his closest aide and controversial politician Amit Shah as BJP president. There is a consensus in the corridors of power that he has also succeeded in tightening his grip over the administration in the first 100 days in power.
One of the first steps his cabinet took was to approve large-scale labour reforms — a long-standing demand of business houses and investors. India’s archaic labour laws are cited as one of the reasons why many foreign investors are reluctant to enter the Indian market.
Modi has also shown his resolve to improve infrastructure where huge foreign investment is required. In his rousing speech on India’s Independence Day on August 15, Modi talked about developing infrastructure in rural India where basic facilities such as toilets, electricity and safe drinking water are in short supply. Now Japan, during Modi’s state visit, has promised $35 billion (Dh128.73 billion) to develop infrastructure in India.
Modi’s government has launched a nation-wide scheme of financial inclusion in which every citizen will have a bank account. The idea was first mooted during the Congress regime, but it was Modi who moved quickly to implement it. His die-hard supporters believe their leader could do no wrong and see his reign lasting the full term and maybe more. The opposition Congress party is still trying to come to terms with the humiliating defeat at the hands of Modi, who single-handedly demolished its 10-year-old rule.
A bit impatient
However, murmurs of discontent are beginning to be heard, albeit lacking in conviction, all over the country and intermittently in his own party and government. Modi had raised the average Indian’s hopes high by making many promises during his election campaign. His campaign promises included “achhe din” or good days for all sections of society after the electoral victory. But the lot of the average man has not changed. His lot has not improved. Prices of essential commodities remain high. He is beginning to get a bit impatient.
One man in Gujarat said it would be unfair to expect big changes in 100 days, but he added that he would have wanted to see Modi spell out his vision for India, his big-ticket ideas rolled out. Another Modi basher in his home state was more scathing in his remarks and said he knew Modi was just a dream merchant. “He makes good speeches, in which he makes tall claims, but when it comes to delivery, he is often found wanting.”
Modi first came to limelight when large-scale communal violence broke out in Gujarat in 2002, in his second year as the state chief minister. The riots left more than a thousand people dead, mostly Muslims. Ehsan Jafri, a prominent Muslim leader was among the victims. His widow Zakia Jafri has taken Modi to court, alleging he was responsible for the riots. The Supreme Court had appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to help the local court in the case. The SIT report gave him a clean chit. But the local court’s verdict is still awaited.
The widow has vowed to fight till the end, which means the Gujarat riots could potentially continue to haunt Modi, even if he has now become the most powerful man in India. His closest friend and BJP president Shah is facing criminal charges in Gujarat, where several innocent Muslims were killed in what is locally known as fake police encounters. The Gujarat government has admitted in court that the encounters were staged. In one such case, Shah is facing murder charges. He was sent to jail in 2010 and has been out on bail since. When these fake police encounter cases happened, Shah was the state home minister and his boss Modi the chief minister.
But Modi has since gone through an image makeover. He has successfully managed to project himself as a man of peace and development. This seems to have worked and a big win in the parliamentary elections is proof of his popularity.
The verdict on Modi’s first 100 days is mixed, but more heavily tilted towards positive. He remains popular. But many say he will ultimately be judged on his performances, not on words. They are willing to give him time.
Zubair Ahmed is the political correspondent for bbchindi.com
