Modi versus Manmohan

In about four months from now the Modi government would be into its third year which would be well over half its five-year reign and while it may deserve a lenient rating of its overall performance in terms of the number of years it has been in reign, the same in all fairness deserves to be done in the light of the state of this union when this government assumed charge and the promises on which its success rolled into a magnificent success.

Modi on the eve of the last elections was the mood of the people looking for hope in an atmosphere of gloom set in by the alleged policy paralysis of the previous government. The difficulties in governance that Manmohan government faced on account of being an unmanageable coalition of parties with diverse ideologies and interests was overshadowed by the overhyped Gujarat story and the tall promises that Modi made to the electorate which later his own Party President admitted was mere sloganeering on the eve of elections.

Modi was a loud campaigner in the last elections while Manmohan as usual was his quiet self. While Modi proved that leadership was not only about Karma it also had to come in a bold package, Manmohan insisted on his simplicity. While Modi rolls out the achievements of the last Government, claiming to be his, the discerning nation still affords him grace in the hope that it is still too early to expect the government to translate its promises but as of now there seems little progress from where the last government left. Unless the government thinks about launching itself seriously on the changes it had promised, the preface that was written in Delhi and Bihar where the party got a solid drubbing may become the unfolding story.

A crucial ingredient in common man’s diet, pulses and perhaps the only source of protein on his plate has become too costly to afford and while the finance minister wants to make the food healthier by removing butter and oil further from his plate as their prices make them beyond their reach. One wonders how long the yoga guru Ramdeo can expect the empty stomachs and the unsheltered men dying of cold in Delhi and across the streets of India take his advice on yoga. The common man somehow admits now that Manmohan’s plate had enough food for them but no pickle, while Modi’s plate has pickles but no food.

Modi possesses a distinguishing trait which Manmohan lacked. While the former is eloquent par excellence, Manmohan was quiet and hence disconnected with the people. While Modi has been visible on the world stage and amongst the people at home, Manmohan was withdrawn. But when it comes to honesty both appear to be at par irrespective of reported misconduct by ministers in either government. Here, perhaps Manmohan has an edge over Modi given the fact that while two of the former’s ministers went to jail on charges of corruption during his incumbency, Modi has failed to show such courage to allow probe of his ministers’ conduct, against whom serious charges have been leveled.

The times may be graver for Modi should his Party continue to fail in the state elections. To perform, his government would require strength in the upper house to have bills introduced and passed in the lower house where he has a comfortable strength. The present tenure of the government has failed miserably to enable any legislation in the House where presently its strength lies and this follows sadly in line with the tradition of non-cooperation and obstruction which BJP started when it was in opposition. Should the party fail in the impending elections in states where it is shortly due, legislating business in parliament will become still difficult and investment in such an atmosphere may take a beating. Modi’s party needs a revisit of its ideology, agenda, manifesto, and promises if it has to make an impression on the electorate where Modi’s popularity now wanes. If his party continues to do what it has chosen to so far, the results would not be any different. Modi has to remember that farmers continue to die as they did during the past government’s rule. The prices of commodities are all time high and the mood of the majority, which falls outside the bracketed affluent, low. It was the mood of this majority which went historically beyond all usual considerations of caste, creed, and religion to lift Modi to power.

Modi’s men might be failing where Congress succeeded. Despite the opposition in parliament the latter had minds within the party to approach the opponents and persuade them to see reason in the Government’s efforts in national interest. Modi’s men it appears have failed. Both Modi and Manmohan are well intended men, Karma yogis to nation’s cause and its people. Meeting Sonia and Manmohan for cooperation within the house should not be as difficult a task for a Prime Minister who has shown statesmanship in going to Pakistan despite opposition at home. Even if he were seen to be stooping he would be doing so, to conquer, for the nation.

Modi; as of now sits on a vehicle which though he steers shows no movement, because the brakes hold. This vehicle will not move unless all the components perform their functions. The opposition that holds the movement needs to be repaired to allow Parliament and the engine to express its reasonable and desirable performance. Only then, shall the nation move from the station where Manmohan left and Modi took charge.