Faith in Modi and his Government did not build in just a day. A clean and responsive administration came as a respite after a corrupt and callous UPA regime
On demonetisation, in my article, ‘India: Betrayal by opposition at time of national unity’, in South Asia Monitor on November 27, 2016, I wrote: “To these opposition parties in India, anything Prime Minister Narendra Modi does is draconian and must be opposed tooth and nail. Sadly, when irrespective of political ideology all should strengthen Modi's hand, comes this betrayal by these opposition parties.” I also stated that demonetisation was not an isolated step but one of a series of measures against corruption and black money, preceding and following.
In the context of the SuNamo effect in the recent elections to five State, it can be said now that I was echoing the feelings of voters on demonetisation at least in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur. There were similar feelings in Punjab and Goa too but it didn't get so pronounced because of countervailing pressure of anti-incumbency factor and local issues like corruption/dissension.
This then is one major usher of SuNamo effect. The electorate saw demonetisation as one of a series of long waited pro-poor and positive anti-corruption measure. They were also aghast at opposition parties opposing and condemning it and lost all faith in them. The surgical strikes was yet the other important catalysing factor. Here too people did find it shameful that the Opposition doubted the integrity and valour of the Indian Army.
Moreover, pro-poor measures adopted by the Prime Minister have given articulation to so far aborted aspirations of the poor. These are 40 million Jan Dhan accounts, over one million insurance cover under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, about 52 lakh liquefied petroleum gas connections and better sanitation though new toilets, especially for impoverished women and more.
The faith in Modi and his Government did not come about in about a single day. A clean and responsive administration came as great respite to the people after the extremely corrupt and callous administration of the UPA.
These days, we get to read in newspapers quite often how the administration comes to help with alacrity in response to individual complaints referred to concerned ministries or the Prime Minister’s Office. Overall, transparency and accountability were established in governance and law and order was maintained.
Further, as said in my yet another article on demonetisation, ‘Black Economy in India: Where Do We Stand NowIJ, in Merinews on February 24’, “The slew of measures taken by the present Government against black marketers has created fear in their minds. It appears that consequently such activities have markedly come down.”
On the economic front, the Government opened up the insurance sector by allowing up to 49 per cent foreign direct investment. It also opened up the coal industry through the passing of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill of 2015. In the 2016 Budget session of Parliament, it pushed through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill.
The code creates time-bound processes for insolvency resolution of companies and individuals. The Government also took other steps to clear infrastructural bottlenecks, expediting project implementation and effectively increasing business confidence. It has got the Goods and Services Tax Act passed and should be able to introduce it in July this year. All of this helped increasing public faith and confidence in Modi and his Government.
Finally, comes the leadership, motivating and communication skills of the Prime Minister and BJP president Amit Shah. The duo energised the organisation and strategised the whole election campaign which made possible ‘nukkad' meetings and direct interaction with all cross-sections of people. This worked for enabling majority consolidation as against minority fine-tuning.
(The writer is a commentator on contemporary issues)