Prime Minister Narendra Modi – What does it mean for India ? Hangout with Swapan Dasgupta

Ahmedabad, 17 September 2013

An engaging and interesting Google hangout with Swapan Dasgupta was held on Tuesday evening on the subject ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi – What does it mean for India ?’ If you missed it, here is the video and some glimpses in text.

When asked what makes Narendra Modi special, Swapan said Modi’s fundamentally different, and unique process of anointment itself says the story. He said the pressure came from below which is unique in post independence India. Modi’s inspirational capacity makes him different from others, he said.

He said, after coming to power, Modi will first need to redefine the centre-state relations. States need to give more freedom to do their job, with of course transparency. The other thing Modi will need to do after becoming PM will be about bringing more executive actions rather than legislative ones.

When asked about Modi lacking experience to deal with foreign policy and national level reforms, Swapanda in his reply said when India got freedom, the only experience Indian leaders had was about organizing rallies and protests. Swapan went ahead and said Modi was not even a councillor or MLA before he became a Chief Minister of Gujarat, but he has been successful. He added that by European standards, Gujarat itself is like a country.

While mainstream media is vocal and repeatedly saying that Muzaffar riots will help Modi in Uttar Pradesh polls scenario, Swapan Dasgupta pointed out how a survey carried out before two and half months in Uttar Pradesh revealed that BJP could win more than 35 seats there. Swapan said the survey was done by academicians.

Swapan said people will not let Modi down in elections, Modi shouldn’t let people down after the elections.