By Japan K Pathak, Ahmedabad, 7 February 2012

“Narendra Modi combines machine-like efficiency with charismatic nationalism. He is from a party that is out of power in Delhi, his efforts at the state level can contrast with or even undermine efforts of the central government,” such observations have come from America based Brookings Institution, one of Washington’s oldest and most prestigious think tanks.

In his article “‘India’s G-7: Local leaders with global interests,” William J. Antholis, Managing Director of Brookings has listed India’s seven largest economies and seven Chief Ministers who lead them.

Identifying Gujarat as one of the newly emerging industrial engines of India where GDP matters, the author writes,”Narendra Modi, from mid-sized Gujarat (a mere 60 million people), leads the pack. Modi combines machine-like efficiency with charismatic (and many say destructive and divisive) nationalism.”

“If a chief minister, such as Modi, is from a party that is out of power in Delhi, his efforts at the state level can contrast with or even undermine efforts of the central government. That can include bucking national bureaucrats in attracting foreign investment or damming rivers, or regulating power. It also can mean condoning anti-Muslim sentiment that complicates India’s tense relations with Pakistan,” the article further said about Modi.

The blog further reads:Chief ministers have significant influence over the members of parliament from their party who are sent to Delhi. And many of them secretly or openly aspire to be prime minister some day. In contrast to the Delhi-based managers who have run the country for sixty-five years, the new breed brings a feel for local politics. But they also have distinct views of the international economy will transform India — for better or worse.

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