Modi's Growing Clout - Signals India's arrival in comity of nations
THE YEAR 2014 - INDIAN FOREIGN POLICY
Narendra Modi could have been hyped as an economic moderniser or a catalyst of development; to his detractors in Indian politics he could be still a divisive figure; to the Hindutva hardliners, he could be a man not living up to their expectations; but Prime Minister Modi at the end of the year (2014) in the global scene has emerged with his clout.
Therefore, just as the year 2014 came close, one question among diplomats and for those involved in Foreign Policy handling, is: Has India arrived at the international stage?
Review of Indian Economy 2015 – Marred by Politics :: A jaundiced eye-view
The year 2015 was some kind of a political nightmare for Narendra Modi – the politician. Probably for the first time since 2001 – when he was made Gujarat Chief Minister – never had Modi tasted such difficult situations and sadly for him, he could not give the befitting reply to his detractors – something he had made a sort of habit post-2002.
When calendar year 2001 ended, Modi was a shy Chief Minister, almost a reluctant ruler and often clueless how to capture ‘hamaro Gujarat’ for his saffron party.
But since February 27, 2002 train compartment inferno at Godhra, he has shot into limelight by braving through all the challenging times.
Individually top ranking BJP leaders got embroiled into corruption scandals – Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje and even Modi’s “eyes and ears” Arun Jaitley.
(* In 2015, BJP suffered major electoral defeats in Delhi and Bihar. In Delhi, the Lotus party could win only three seats. It was the beginning of Ak-67 era)
Politics Kaleidoscope 2016: Modi in eye of storm; opposition unity still a mirage
The BJP's coming to power in Assam, making its presence felt and entry in Kerala assembly and being part of the ruling coalition in sensitive state of Jammu and Kashmir had all the reasons to suggest that the saffron outfit - essentially known for Hindutva tilt and pro-north Indian credential has come of age.
In BJP's tumultuous journey emerging as a 'pan-India party' in 2016, the Congress party has been pushed to the second fiddle. In a year with highs and lows, Congress lost another key state of Assam to the saffron outfit. It also lost Kerala to the Left Front, generally compatriots at the national level.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP had their fair share of brickbats and bouquets for some major decisions in country's history which mobilised the opposition against them but a total unity of political forces against the ruling dispensation still remained a mirage.
The alleged chaotic handling of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, demonetisation and arbitrary dismissal of elected governments in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister was in the eye storm throughout the year.
Meanwhile, despite repeated clarion call for opposition unity by key regional players including Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee, a strong anti-BJP front still remained a "non-starter".
The beginning of the year 2016 also saw the Jat Reservation Agitation - that kept BJP-ruled Haryana paralysed and also plunged it into a cycle of violence. The 10-day stir from February 12 to February 22 is said to have caused an estimated loss of Rs 340 billion.
Modi's pioneering 'slogan' in Ahmedabad
2017
Despite 'wake up' call in Gujarat, 'Moditva magic' works for BJP
The 'Moditva' as a brand must have survived in the year 2017 for the BJP but the outcome of just concluded Gujarat elections that saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi make blistering campaigns left a few crucial political lessons for Modi-Amit Shah duo.It is probably for the first time in last three and half years since BJP came to power in 2014, it has to reconcile to the fact that the 2019 parliamentary elections will not be a cakewalk as was perhaps presumed earlier.
The agrarian distress and winning support base in rural India remains BJP's formidable challenges.
2018
Can Sikh corridor build India-Pakistan relations? But PM Modi gave a twist saying Kartarpur should have remained in India
In the modern history of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh emerged largely because of considerations of religion. First, Muslims decided to part ways to form Pakistan by carving out areas where Muslims dominated. However, Islam as a unifying factor was found wanting when East Pakistan ceded and emerged as Bangladesh.
But, in South Asia, religion has often been a tool and catalyst that influences diplomatic relations between countries. But, yet again, can Sikh corridor build India-Pakistan relations?
Everything that occurs now has some reference to the past, prejudice and politics.
Despite having a negative connotation of being the opium of the people, religion has been a diplomatic tool in South Asia since the beginning of political history in the region.
Bid Adieu 2019 -
Digital platforms make news, could come under closer scanning
New Delhi, Dec 31
The season of festivity and protest that’s carrying India through the chill of winter marking the end of circa 2019 will be also known for being critical for social media platforms.
Senior police officials in Uttar Pradesh probing the anti-CAA protest said in many places the crowd was gathered by using Whatsapp and other IT tools.
Thus, it was not surprising that protestors were less ‘very effectively’ the violence was organised and on a large scale but where protestors gathered in large numbers and police force stood in attendance, the place was comparatively peaceful.
2020
Modi makes a digital surgical strike against Chinese Apps: Some, however, find PM's move well thought out & "populist"
(June)
 |
| Time to chill ? |
Some, however, find Namo's move well thought out as a "populist" measure as Indian people's mood is immensely anti-China.
"I had raised concerns in Parliament about the vulnerability of Indians to data harvesting by Chinese apps. I will ask the Ministry to brief the Standing Committee on IT in detail on the rationale for today's ban, &also to suggest/promote alternative services that are more secure." - Shashi Tharoor
Bid adieu 2021 :
Refreshing memories -- now some headlines to my articles and news stories
India becomes unapologetically Hindu under PM Modi : UCA News August 5, 2021
Covid outbreak hits Indian Christian state's 'largest family' : UCA News, July 27
(Mizoram story)
 |
| Late patriarch Ziona Zionnghaka with his family. |
Modi-Yogi snaps: Symbiotic 'Hindutva' bond, (Organiser, Nov 21)
Nothing is permanent except tears and fears | (IANS) Dec 7, 2021
Communists and Congress - Two sinking ships - Organiser, Oct 16
Vietnam moment for Biden, Afghan Prez flees, Pak mocks: Story has it all
"Spinning Charkha can't change Taliban," Maj Gen Bakshi tells proponents
of 'recognise Taliban' ecosystem
Organiser Sept 2
2022 Dec 31st
Nagaland awaits Solution - that's new Year gift: President's Rule will be celebration bonus
Anyone could be called 'Man of the Year' for 2022 in India; but for Nagas the only 'Man of the Year' in 2023 is Narendra Modi. Each Naga finds his or her life and future -- young and old -- linked to the most crucial political decision Modi will take during the year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join the rest of India in making foray into the new calendar year 2023.
No Indian state and no community will be awaiting the Prime Minister's political decision in the new year with so much expectation as the state of Nagaland and of course the Nagas in Nagaland and also in neighbouring states of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
For Nagas - Prime Minister Modi resembles an image of a Hope. But the cautionary line is more the 'hope'; more can be the frustration if the country's most decisive Prime Minister fails to take a final call. Thus, there is utmost relevance of the slogan (Nagamese version) - 'Modi asey hobo toh'. Yes, its possible with Narendra Modi around.
2023 !!
BJP win in India’s 2024 general election ‘almost an inevitability’ --- runs an article in London-based 'The Guardian'
BJP win in India’s 2024 general election ‘almost an inevitability’
While regional opposition to the BJP is strong in pockets of south and east India, nationally it is seen as fragmented and weak. The main opposition Indian National Congress party won the state election in Telangana this month but is in power in only three states overall and is perceived as hierarchical and riddled with infighting, says the write up.
Penned by Hannah Ellis-Petersen, the article, however, notes --"The prime minister’s popularity as a political strongman, alongside the BJP’s Hindu nationalist agenda, continues to appeal to the large Hindu majority of the country, particularly in the populous Hindi belt of the north, resulting in the widespread persecution of Muslims.
"At state and national level, the apparatus of the country has been skewed heavily towards the BJP since Modi was elected in 2014.
He has been accused of overseeing an unprecedented consolidation
of power, muzzling critical media, eroding the independence of the judiciary and all forms of parliamentary scrutiny and accountability and using government agencies to pursue and jail political opponents".
ends
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