Rama Krishna Sangem
Narendra Modi achieved a unique record of being the PM of India for 12 years uninterrupted, and completed 4,399 days in office. He just cross the record on this is of Jawaharlal Nehru (4,398dasy), by a day. Of course, Modi will continue in the office for another three years, till 2029 May-June. June 11 marks his 13th year in office.
World leaders have applauded Modi for being one of the longest serving PMs in a democratic systems. It is easy to remain in office continuously for long years, in monarchies or military dictatorships or even in communist regimes. But it is tough to be so, in a multi parties democracies where voting happens periodically.
When Nehru became the PM after 1952 Lok Sabha elections, there were just 52 political parties but now the number rose to close to 800 parties. That’s the disadvantage and advantage for Modi’s BJP. Since he came to power in 2014, main opposition party, Congress is getting weaker by every election. Congress lost power to BJP in 2014 and ’19.
Modi’s challenges
But, Congress tally went up from 52 to 100 in 2024 LS elections. Rahul Gandhi, for the first time became the Leader of Opposition in LS. BJP won just 240 MPs, 32 less than the simple majority on its own and its NDA tally is 309, not far ahead of Congress led INDIA’s 240. Of course, this week’s developments have widened the gap by 30-40 MPs.
But, structurally, BJP is not on a strong wicket in the South India. It fared poorly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, in spite of Modi putting in his best efforts in campaigning. BJP doesn’t know how to react to the exit of Annamalai from the party to float an outfit of his own. The fact is that this former IPS official sees no future for BJP in Tamil Nadu.
BJP’s condition is pathetic in Andhra and Telangana. Poor organizational foundations make it adjust to be on the sidelines. The situation in Karnataka too is no different. In Kerala we have seen how the saffron party is forced to be satisfied to be a single digit win in the recent assembly elections.
On the economic front, Modi is on a weak wicket. There is no clarity on when the US-India trade pact will be signed. Despite calling Modi his “great friend,” President Trump is really friends with Pakistan, not so greatly with India. Until the trade deal is signed and the Strait of Hormuz is opened, Modi will not be a happy man.
The impending reshuffle of the union cabinet is expected to test his political authority both among the allies and within the party in the second half of his third term as the PM.