My letter to the Editor of Financial Times of May 5, 2014 one week before the elections, “Modi is the change that most Indians would like to see” is as relevant today as it was then. Prime Minister Modi and his party won a resounding victory in the Indian poll yesterday. We send our Hearty Congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his success.
This has been the largest ever poll conducted - about 1 billion people with 65% voter turnout. This victory came after a bitterly run political campaign with opposition parties demonstrating the worst behaviour involving caste, religion and class divides.
During his first term in office, Prime Minister Modi has undertaken several bold economic and political decisions which has started transforming India for the future, putting it on track to becoming the world’s third largest economy in the next twenty years.
The common person in India may not agree with all the decisions taken by the Modi Government, and in fact many may have suffered by some of the decisions, but most are convinced that Modi does not personally benefit and is an honest man. I think that has been his biggest strength. I hope in his second term Modi is more inclusive and also builds a leadership team to follow him.
The performance of the opposition has been extremely dismal with no leadership. Given that Modi does not belong to the elite and political bourgeoisie, he has never been accepted as one of them. Politicians who have been part of the political dynasties called Modi filthy nicknames never used before in Indian politics. This election in India has also been a class war bringing permanent change to the social fabric of Indian society.
For Indian democracy to flourish further it needs a strong opposition. The Indian National Congress can still be a strong political force if it elects a national leader from among a number of its extremely capable leaders. However, if it continues with the present leadership it will soon be a dwindling force leading to oblivion and India as a nation will be the biggest loser.
To conclude I must add that every Indian should be proud of the participatory Democracy in India including its institutions; Election Commission, Strong Judiciary, Strong Public Service and participatory processes from local Government to Central Government powered by advanced Technology.
India, though relatively a young democracy has become an example of an efficient and functioning democracy unparalleled in the world with an electorate of about one billion, over three times of USA ,the most powerful Democracy and over 10 times the UK, the oldest democracy making India the greatest Democracy in the world.
Dr Mohan Kaul,
President of the Indian Professionals Forum
