Narendra Modi Is Changing Indian Politics

In what is being describes as a clever move by Nitish Kumar at a rally in New Delhi, we get a clear view of the same old and tired way of doing politics. Opportunism instead of ideology, positioning instead of performance, fear (labeling the BJP as communal) instead of hope, freebies instead of opportunities, victimhood instead of pride are some ways that petty and selfish politicians have been ruling this unfortunate nation of ours. Nitish Kumar is clearly trying all the tricks to keep himself relevant with one eye on the PM’s chair. His ambition is clearly diverting his focus which should be doing his current job well. And this guy is one of the better politicians we have. We all know what others are capable of.

We also know what brand of politics Congress plays. The country has paid dearly for the mistake of less than 30% of the voters who chose to vote for these guys. But what should the voters do? Why should they vote for the BJP? After all they had their chance and blew it in 2004 and 2009. Having said that, the BJP of late has made some good choices. One of them was to remove Gadkari and the second was to bring Narendra Modi to the national stage. There are indications that Advani is still playing dirty politics with his 85 year old eyes on the PM’s chair. Let us hope that he comes to his senses and does the right thing which would be to give his unconditional support behind the man who is changing the rules of Indian politics i.e. Narendra Modi.

In his third national appearance this year, Modi has shown to the Indian voters how it should be. In an anecdote, he said the following:

I was sitting with a PM. He wouldn't talk so I started. I explained the revamp of JNNURM to the prime minister. He was interested, he asked me for a report. Sam Pitroda was very enthusiastic after I gave him the report. But it has been three years since that and not one word.

He has proposed privatization of railways which has become India’s version of social welfare. He proposed innovative ideas on waste management, alternative energy, more accountability from bureaucrats (something that UPA is trying to implement. Modi did that in Gujarat back in 2003), amongst other things. A fellow conservative, Shashi Shekhar wrote it well when he said:

The highlight of the speech was Narendra Modi standing up for his convictions be it on why Government must not be in the business of Government, why a mindset shift is needed from rights-based entitlement towards the spirit of enterprise, on how creating a sense of pride and ownership can make a marked difference. The speech also saw for the first time a major BJP leader speaking out against the UPA’s flagship schemes like NREGA and the UPA’s penchant for new Acts and rights. The punchline, “We don’t need more Acts we need action”, clearly resonated with the audience.

These are the kind of things we expected from Chidambaran and Manmohan Singh who are associated with Harvard and Oxford not from a man who has risen through the ranks. He may not be able to vow the liberal urban elite with fluent English or may cut a rustic image. However, his oratory, wit and substance / ideas are second to none. He may not be a Sam Pitroda or Montek Ahluwalia but his ability to use Technology or sense of economics leave those two in the dust. Modi has concrete ideas about removing poverty while Congress has sought to remove poverty by redefining the term.

It seems that the new traffic system in Amdavad is inspired by a French system and the power distribution system in Gujarat was inspired by a South Korean system. Clearly, he thinks of himself as a student and as one, he is always on the lookout for the next big idea. As Venky Vembu says in his excellent article:

In other words, the critics’ unblinking focus on the 2002 riots all these years has compelled Modi to work harder than he otherwise might have to project himself as an agent of development – and spin off ideas for reimagining India. That’s an enterprise that’s well worth continuing…

Clearly, Modi has seized the debate and changed the rules of it. His message laden speeches are going to force other politicians to change their message as well. Freebies and fear mongering is not going to cut it anymore. Whether he becomes the next PM or not, we will have to thank him for introducing India to a different kind of politics.

Shashi Shekhar's article can be read at: http://www.niticentral.com/2013/03/17/modi-articulates-centre-right-agenda-56292.html
Venky Vembu's article can be read at: http://www.firstpost.com/politics/modis-critics-should-never-stop-talking-about-2002-riots-664195.html?utm_source=frontpagepicks&utm_medium=hp
Highlights of his speech can be read at: http://conclave.intoday.in/article/india-today-conclave-2013-narendra-modi-namo-mantra/3712/39.html