Whether or not one is a supporter of MnS (Modi and Shah), the duo has emerged as nothing less than a phenomenon. Prior to the elections, Pulwama not withstanding, even hardcore Modi supporters could be heard discussing the possibility of a hung parliament. The best guess stopped at a Modi led coalition government, and that too one that would just about scrape through. But when the election results were out, Narendra Modi proved that he along with his right hand man, Amit Shah were nothing less than a phenomenon. A phenomenon that will be studied long into the annals of history that is yet to be woven by the future that lies ahead.
Although Modi is obviously bold and exhibits egotistical traits, and has also exhibited Machiavellian (going to about any levels to maintain political power) and narcissist traits, he cannot be seen as someone possessing the dark triad. So what is this phenomenon called Modi?
Is it the times we live in? Times are no doubt such that the aspirations of every individual, rich and the poor, are high. Everyone is hungering for more and aspiring for the skies. And, Mr Modi, seizing the opportunity, has successfully projected himself as the one person who can help fulfil these aspirations.
Or, is it a case of identity crisis with a vast majority of Indians wanting to identify with someone great and at the same time someone who is like them - an awakening of the majority of Indians to a deep sense of inferiority complex that they may have nurtured due to the schism that existed between the haves and the have nots, only to realise that these were to be weapons of pride that they made it despite and inspite of everything - just like Modi. The inferiority complex, which made them feel 'lesser' somehow until the chaiwala fakir spoke to them extolling them to identify with him - the Prime Minister no less, was turning into a superiority complex. He was encouraging them to think beyond the boundaries they had perhaps set for themselves - if the chaiwala could become a PM, anybody could become anything. And what better way to thank him and hail him as a hero than to place their faith in him - do exactly what he asked them to do - vote for him for a second term. After all, he was also promising to lead them all to the place that they so deserved.
Or is it simply a moment of reckoning. Where people have had enough of all the politicians thus far and the falsehood that they have all exhibited so brazenly, and are now deciding to do things they way they deem best. And they show this by electing Modi and how.
Analyses could be a plenty. The fact remains that everyone has gasped at the resounding electoral victory of BJP, one that has been undeniably charted by the Modi and Shah combination - MnS phenomenon. What is surely there for all to see is the amazing gift of the garb that Modi has - where every word he speaks overwrites the words he spoke, such that the earlier words are clean forgotten and the present is all that remains. For example, his Modi 2.0 victory speech was undoubtedly a great statesman's speech, but it also wiped away all those acrimonious mud-slinging speeches by him during the run up to the elections where everyone right from historical figures to assassinated Prime Ministers were not spared - a jingoism that brought the electioneering discourse to a new low, an abyss of sorts. In doing so, Mr Modi also makes it difficult for the more discerning ones to understand the man. Be that as it may, Mr Modi will surely go down the annals of history as perhaps the best political orator India has seen.
As regards Mr Amit Shah, he doesn't need to prove that he has phenomenal organisational skills - so much so that wattsapp jokes about President Trump seeking his services for the US elections are now doing the rounds. Between Modi and Shah, winning seemed to be all that mattered. The means they may have employed is something that would need to be studied for a long time to come to make sense of it all.
India under Modi 1.0 cannot be said to have made any phenomenal progress, not in the least like the phenomenal victory that the party had seen. In fact, the economic story of India for the most part of Modis five-year term, as observed by many economists could be seen as being one of missed opportunities although the swatch bharat abhyan, which along with the Ujjwala scheme, were indeed both important and much needed and the government needs to be given due credit for this. At the same time, the same could be said of the society - inspite of the swachh and ujjwal schemes, the society seemed to have been becoming a shade dirtier/ darker through acts of lynching and the likes. Thankfully, better sense prevailed.
India under Modi 2.0 will need to be seen. Everything has remained the same. Prime Minister Modi will be continuing as PM after his resounding success in the elections. And his right hand man, the party president will be beside him to guide him through thick and thin just like before. The one difference will be that Mr Shah is now an elected representative. Whether all of this bodes well for the country or not, time will tell.
Although Modi is obviously bold and exhibits egotistical traits, and has also exhibited Machiavellian (going to about any levels to maintain political power) and narcissist traits, he cannot be seen as someone possessing the dark triad. So what is this phenomenon called Modi?
Is it the times we live in? Times are no doubt such that the aspirations of every individual, rich and the poor, are high. Everyone is hungering for more and aspiring for the skies. And, Mr Modi, seizing the opportunity, has successfully projected himself as the one person who can help fulfil these aspirations.
Or, is it a case of identity crisis with a vast majority of Indians wanting to identify with someone great and at the same time someone who is like them - an awakening of the majority of Indians to a deep sense of inferiority complex that they may have nurtured due to the schism that existed between the haves and the have nots, only to realise that these were to be weapons of pride that they made it despite and inspite of everything - just like Modi. The inferiority complex, which made them feel 'lesser' somehow until the chaiwala fakir spoke to them extolling them to identify with him - the Prime Minister no less, was turning into a superiority complex. He was encouraging them to think beyond the boundaries they had perhaps set for themselves - if the chaiwala could become a PM, anybody could become anything. And what better way to thank him and hail him as a hero than to place their faith in him - do exactly what he asked them to do - vote for him for a second term. After all, he was also promising to lead them all to the place that they so deserved.
Or is it simply a moment of reckoning. Where people have had enough of all the politicians thus far and the falsehood that they have all exhibited so brazenly, and are now deciding to do things they way they deem best. And they show this by electing Modi and how.
Analyses could be a plenty. The fact remains that everyone has gasped at the resounding electoral victory of BJP, one that has been undeniably charted by the Modi and Shah combination - MnS phenomenon. What is surely there for all to see is the amazing gift of the garb that Modi has - where every word he speaks overwrites the words he spoke, such that the earlier words are clean forgotten and the present is all that remains. For example, his Modi 2.0 victory speech was undoubtedly a great statesman's speech, but it also wiped away all those acrimonious mud-slinging speeches by him during the run up to the elections where everyone right from historical figures to assassinated Prime Ministers were not spared - a jingoism that brought the electioneering discourse to a new low, an abyss of sorts. In doing so, Mr Modi also makes it difficult for the more discerning ones to understand the man. Be that as it may, Mr Modi will surely go down the annals of history as perhaps the best political orator India has seen.
As regards Mr Amit Shah, he doesn't need to prove that he has phenomenal organisational skills - so much so that wattsapp jokes about President Trump seeking his services for the US elections are now doing the rounds. Between Modi and Shah, winning seemed to be all that mattered. The means they may have employed is something that would need to be studied for a long time to come to make sense of it all.
India under Modi 1.0 cannot be said to have made any phenomenal progress, not in the least like the phenomenal victory that the party had seen. In fact, the economic story of India for the most part of Modis five-year term, as observed by many economists could be seen as being one of missed opportunities although the swatch bharat abhyan, which along with the Ujjwala scheme, were indeed both important and much needed and the government needs to be given due credit for this. At the same time, the same could be said of the society - inspite of the swachh and ujjwal schemes, the society seemed to have been becoming a shade dirtier/ darker through acts of lynching and the likes. Thankfully, better sense prevailed.
India under Modi 2.0 will need to be seen. Everything has remained the same. Prime Minister Modi will be continuing as PM after his resounding success in the elections. And his right hand man, the party president will be beside him to guide him through thick and thin just like before. The one difference will be that Mr Shah is now an elected representative. Whether all of this bodes well for the country or not, time will tell.
