Modi a less popular Prime Minister, of an increasingly unpopular party!

The nation showcased its military might, economic achievements of the foregone decades, and the diversity of its culture on the Republic day. The world watched two leaders of our time; one sitting next to the guest of honor the French President immaculately clad and the other sitting not so assumingly as the Prime Minister. Both of them assessing the potential of the nation in the background of the opportunities lost.

 Modi the “man of action” for many world leaders and Manmohan the economic guru of the same world leaders of yester years; two victims of internal pressures blocked in their efforts to build the nation by their own men. Two karma yogis devoted to a common mission, victims of similar attitude within their respective parties. One who held the economy and the nation in troubled times of the global meltdown and rising oil prices and, the other seeking to build on it, as the global oil prices continue to fall.

As a recent survey conducted by ABC News Nielson survey report reveals Modi continues to be the popular Prime minister of a not so popular party with 47% finding him popular and 42 % not finding him so. While 42% think “ache din’” meaning good days have arrived, 50% say NO. 41% feel, the economy has shown signs of improvement, 48% disagree.

As the nation showcased its might before the people on the Republic day, the first to catch its attention were the T 92 tanks purchased in the past from the Russians. Next to follow were the missiles whose development was initiated by the Rajiv government and gained momentum later under the Rao and Atal governments. The helicopters that flew overhead were Russian make. The transport or the fighter planes which added to the glamour of the show were either British American or Russian. The sole Indian content on this show of defense hardware were the Dhruws, helicopters indigenously developed.

  There was nothing new on display in terms of the surveillance systems that were displayed by the nation. The ever assuring soldiers who gave an account of themselves reinforcing the confidence of this nation were the best spectacle on the occasion  establishing that none in the world could perhaps produce better than what India has in these men that constitute the brave Indian defense forces developed over decades, and one need mention that the tableaus that drove past on the occasion were absolutely indigenous and new and in their newness differed from the past, and the dog contingent drawn from foreign pedigrees, given its relevance in the security of this great nation in all spheres of threat, sniffing at all times and only what’s relevant to their brief, in the affairs of the state, a brilliant idea.

At the halfway mark Modi appears lesser than his popularity that made him the auspicious mascot of his party, a status which he would perhaps continue to retain but this in coming times would perhaps not be enough to offset  his party’s failing popularity. Modi today appears in Manmohan’s shoes with a common mission in life, building India. Manmohan in hind sight appears to have done better with fetters put on him by his own party men. Modi who appears independent in thought and action and slightly better placed, needs to make a start.

 The picture of his party that gets portrayed by his own party men does not augur well. Modi wants to make India by making things in India while his party men appear more interested in matters that go against the prospects of his well intended mission. Raising the temple issue is one of them.

 The party has already lost in Delhi and Bihar which constitute a crucial mandate in the House where Modi’s government retains majority meaning that he is weaker in the upper house and may become weaker in view of the sliding popularity of his party which may not bring any better results for itself, raises a doubt, whether a man meaning business would be returned to power, at all, again, a second time.

 As Modi government’s inning reaches the halfway mark and the asking rate for this party gets bigger and bigger with no strikers other than Modi himself to make the difference in the slog overs, the nation starts doubting whether it invested its hope on the right team. Individuals don’t form governments. It is the parties returned to majority which do. Modi, alike Dhoni may be a good finisher but has the potential to fail as the latter does. It is time his party stops gloating in the glory of the past and aligns itself with its leader. The nation wants business now, and the counting, it appears, has started.