Never before has one man personified so much hope and trust; nor has any single individual been vested with such huge responsibility. Even those who swear by democracy, systems and team work concede the role that Modi’s leadership could play in governance as it did in the polls. His shoulders are indeed heavily laden. But unlike the ‘White Man’s Burden’ that the British condescendingly considered India as, Bharath to Modi will be the ‘Right Man’s Burden’, a burden he will bear with delight, diligence and in all devotion.
One cannot but marvel at Modi’s energy and enthusiasm. While most leaders across parties took a break, at least for a couple of days, soon after polling, Modi continued working seamlessly unmindful of the future that lay concealed in EVMs, a trait that marks him out as a true karmayogi. There was not a moment during the normal human waking hours that Modi was away from the public eye. This cannot be said of many leaders who revel in darshan politics, appearing at convenience and vanishing at will without any clue of their whereabouts. Aside of all the right signals and speeches, like his emotional touch at the party MPs meet or his reverential gesture at Parli entrance, I would rate his constant public presence as the best augury. The nation, having been paralysed by invisible puppets and puppeteers operating from behind shady purdhas, is in dire need of someone to lead from the front.
While the current Modi-centric politics is a fact, the role of some strong personalities like Amit Shah and the Sangh Parivar that rallied as if for a second freedom struggle, cannot be belittled. But the man who stands out as the architect of BJP’s spectacular performance is clearly Rajnath Singh. His discreet disposition hides a determined, disciplined soldier and his sage and farsighted guidance of the party, particularly in the last one year, has yielded a fabulous harvest. He is what you call ‘safe hands’, and with Modi, generates an aura of native, nationalist strength and sagacity that this long-enslaved civilisation has lacked in display. He engineered Modi’s step-by-step elevation and ensured consensus in a party that overflows with volatile veterans and talented aspirants. He never wavered in his conviction, a gamble in many eyes even within the party, that a positive, personality based campaign would appeal to the voter who was starved of governance and choking in corruption.
If it was just anti-incumbency, the nation would only be sighing in relief. But the all round exultation shows that the vibes of hope and promise have been generated. India just not wants to forget and relax, but is rearing to forge ahead. The nation’s wish list is long and varied. From legally importing the illegally exported stashes of cash to drawing in Dawood Ibrahim into our legal dragnet; addressing inflation, employment and sundry economic issues; tackling terrorism to touchy external affairs matters; and a host of portfolion-wise demands that the media and pundits have in their kitty. My personal pick would be the alleviation of the agonies of Agriculture and Small and Medium industries that employ the maximum labour and capital. Modi would not only have to be on his feet, something he is used to, but now ensure that his team also runs abreast of him.
A decisive mandate and peaceful Parli are boons that the voters have bestowed on themselves. While people are sensible enough not to expect overnight miracles, the fact is this is still an impatient nation. Modi & Co do have a gestation, but they cannot take too long. Priorities have to be drafted and timelines set, and once the wheels of governance start moving, people would be gladly willing to wait for it to gather momentum. Well begun is half done and the initial months and the budget are clearly critical. At the political level, the party would do well to throw a few rings around Modi to insulate him. Detractors would make every effort, sooner than later, to distract him from delivering on promises of governance, BJP’s core theme and the nation’s key concern and Modi and his core team cannot be trapped and tied up in petty, puerile primetime piffles.
Our homes, that Rome destroyed, cannot be rebuilt in a day. But at present sights the man at the helm stands the best chance of succeeding. After all it is not often that you get a leader with no personal axe to grind nor any private itch to be pampered; has no family that seeks fortunes and instead has national service as both work and leisure.
e-mail the writer at [email protected]