INDIA's ELECTION VERDICT - 2019

Narendra Modi’s victory in the recently concluded Indian Parliamentary elections is a unique feat in many ways. As #Ruchir Sharma in his post mentioned that nearly 99% of the correspondents covering the elections got the trends completely off mark. The size of the victory margin for an incumbent government is also a reflection of how the electoral landscape of the country is changing, where on one hand the State level polls are won on local issues v Country level polls where citizens are attracted towards a Charismatic, Strong and Decisive Leaders.

I personally feel that the current election outcome is a good for the country and this is based on following 2 emerging factors.

National Factors (Centre v State)

North India compares very differently from South India , demographics are materially different with South leading in literacy and population control. States such as Tamil Nadu, AP, Orrisa have strong regional leaders, which was also reflected in poll results wherein Mr. Modi’s popularity with masses was not as magnetic as is in the Hindi heartland of Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP, UP (i.e. India’s Rust Belt). I believe that India will in the not too distant future graduate into a structure defined as “Confederation of states” with a greater devolution of power to states to create value for its citizens

Taking this thought forward, I would like to see the central government be responsible and focus on the following areas with all others areas being left to the states to manage.

(1) Safety and security (2) Governance – strengthening democratic Institutions such as Judiciary (3) Health – Education – Infrastructure – Agriculture – National Resources – Water – Banking , Finance and Taxation (4) Land and Labour reforms

Global

Emergence of strong / fascist leaders in Countries that are Global superpowers is a double whammy for many nations, Mr. Trump (USA), Li Jinping (China), Mr. Putin (Russia) to name a few. Compounding economic + military clout of such nations with autocratic leaders is giving rise to confrontational approach to dispute resolution and the “My way or Highway” policy in global trade Some others are non-democratic jurisdictions / dynasties but hold significant clout to hold global trade to ransom e.g. Saudi Arabia with their huge oil reserves. The threat to democratic nations / institutions is very real. The other biggest global factor is “Terrorism”, which is spreading its wings far and wide and the risk now becoming more localised in nature, requiring a more co-ordinated effort from the global community to deal with this more firmly through sanctions, penalties, arms embargo etc

In both the above-mentioned scenarios, India needs a strong and decisive Leader who will be able to navigate the global and local landscape, tactfully, using wit and charm (using Jhappi’s / embrace philosophy) as required to get the most favourable outcome for the Country. Mr. Narendra Modi has in his first stint as PM has shown the ability to handle global and local opponents and has rightfully emerged victorious with a resounding mandate!

Ruchir Sharma decodes Modi’s huge win in 2019 election Read more at: //economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/69513927.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst