Modi- makeover!

The huge hype by the BJP -with the full  backing of the RSS- about Narendra Modi is because he is the only leader who might catch the imagination of a large section of the voters! But despite  the wide support  of the media for Mr Modi, there are yet  voices being raised about his suitability as PM. But more importantly the main question is will the BJP manage to get adequate support from other parties. I am attempting to give some suggestions that Modi and his followers should take serious note of to get stronger support.

Firstly, Modi's rather 'arrogant"  manner shows that he is far too full of himself. Any leader who wishes to win the support and admiration of the voters, should show some respect and deference to the people. He should appear as one who wishes to serve them and and not rule them. He has been consumed by his ambition to be the PM but this has to be tempered with restraint and humility. Mere dressing up to impress will not cancel the negative effect of his arrogance.

Secondly, he should totally desist from indulging in personal criticism or sink to very low levels bordering on abuse of the opposition.  No politician including himself are perfect examples and this type of  oratory does not win votes. In 2004, the target of personal attack was Sonia Gandhi and in 2009 it was personal abuse of ManMohan Singh. These tactics did not get any success. Shri Vajpayeeji never, never indulged in such tactics and this earned the people's respect. Modi should further totally refrain from giving wrong figures/examples about the opposition in his rhetoric which can be countered with facts.

Thirdly, he should definitely attack/expose the policies of the present Govt. But neither he nor his party has ever spelt out their policies clearly on vital issues. The economy, foreign relations esp with our neighbours, and internal security issues need  serious attention. The BJP cannot furrow their own path at the expense of showing unity on matters that affect national security.

Fourthly, he should avoid any reference to communal issues of divide as this will polarise the opposition.
He should clearly outline  solutions. There should be more positivity in his speeches so that the voter can understand what he will do if in power. For example, corruption is being raised as  a big issue for the opposition. But unfortunately, this is associated with all political parties including the BJP. What measures will the BJP take to root out corruption iswaht the people want to know. The impression is created that the Lokpal Bill is a magic wand to remove all corruption, and the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha but opposed by the BJP and others  in the Rajya Sabha.. Modi no doubt may be honest himself, but there is corruption in Gujarat where there is no Lok Ayukth for the past 10 years! They requires systemic changes and one would like to know how Mr Modi has tackled this in Gujarat. His new Bill makes him the judge of what is wrong i n his own Govt!

Fifthly, Modi and the BJP should have a clear policy and attitude to coalition partners. Their projection of Modi as  their next PM has already lost one ally. They will need allies and this will become necessary especially  in those States where they have very weak support. A picture of a common basis or agenda needs to be developed in his speeches. Let us remember we are a democracy and unlike a dictatorial policy or steam rolling the coalition partners, we need to meet the aspirations of possibly such regional aspirations.The Telangana issue is a case in point on which they have given support but are silent on the matter.

No one can deny that Mr Modi's success in Gujarat has been possible with unstinted support of his fellow party members, as well as an efficient bureaucracy. His State also enjoys certain advantages of resources both natural and from an active business community. The country on the whole does not share the same advantages and will requires a totally different perspective in planning. He must remember that he cannot run a one band show at the Centre and will need qualified and efficient colleagues in the Cabinet and an equally efficient and supportive bureaucracy. He will need to be careful with the biggest source of corruption form some big corporate Houses.

Let us wish Modi all the best but the road to his vistory is not going to be easy or smooth.

The Battle of 2014

Despite some polls held showing an advantage to the opposition, it is pertinent to discuss what  are the attributes one should look for in any party that wishes to lead the country. There is disillusionment with both the national parties. We have also seen the problems in the kind of coalitions that have been tried and the problems of such 'marriages'. It is also agreed that the country now has a large percentage of  young, middle class voters who aspire for growth, who are perhaps disappointed with the present lot of politicians and the manner in which parties function.

1.The first requisite is that any national party to lead effectively will need a  unified or single, strong command. External centres of control or a division between the party leadership and the executive function has and will fail.They should have clear declared policy on economic issues, foreign matters etc
2. Clear objectives and vision statements on all issues is very important. The principal issues facing the country are its economy and external relations esp with our neighbours, inclusive growth and internal security.
3. Any growth plan must be inclusive and help every sector of the country- rural and urban. The rural plan must include improved infrastructure such as power, water, as well as the social sectors of health and education. Urban planning , higher education and skills training will be needed for the urban middle class.
4. Anger and punishment alone against corruption is not enough. Systemic changes in procedures which do not encourage or allow corrupt practices is vital.
5, Our judicial system has to be revamped to give honest, fair and quick redressal of cases.
6.Candidates with criminal records should not be allowed by law to contest till their innocence is proved.
7. Elected members who swear by the Constitution should also specifically declare that they will not obstruct by unruly methods the functioning of the Parliament or Legislature or face suspension or even disqualification on repetition of such acts. On days that the house is so obstructed all members should not only lose their allowance for the day but also a fine should be imposed on the members who cause such adjournments.
8.We should have a reserved quota of some experts belonging to no party for assisting on technical matters. Such outstanding persons may also be inducted into Cabinet and allowed to work without any party affiliation.
9. There should be accountability for bureaucrats right form the lowest level to the highest both for working within rules and within timelines. They should be adequately rewarded for good and prompt action as well as face dismissal for non performance. The review of their work must be out of the hands of politicians.

It is not just honesty bit commitment to serve the country should be the primary condition that the electorate should look for. Party hoppers at the time of election should not be given tickets. No dynastic succession should be accepted unless there is proven ability and work.

Let the huge population of freshly eligible  voters both urban and rural not be swayed by mere party affiliation but on the merit  of each candidate. Let the best man win!

What we need is a single national party to govern with a declared policy and to avoid the influence of regional parties in a coalition. We need capable leaders at the national level and not good regional leaders with a poor record on all issues.2014 elections will be critical for the country and we need a party with strong credentials and not just based on "personal attacks" and no clear policy.

Sen vs Bhagwati

At the outset I must confess that I am a layman and not an economist. I may not be right but my commonsense compels me to write what I feel, about these two world renown and celebrated economists.

Economics is a science that has many shades. Both can be right ( though Amartya Sen is left!). There can be as many views as there are experts. It is like the six blind men of Hindustan who were asked to describe an elephant!
Mr Jagdish Bhagwati is a respected economist and Mr Manmohan Singh perhaps followed his model of growth hoping that due to trickle effect the benefits would flow down to the poor.  This model of growth has always been followed in Gujarat , even before Modi took charge. This has been also been stated by Mr Advani. The State is rich in resources and also in entrepreneurial skills and traders who almost instinctively have the enterprise to grow in their respective businesses. Dhiru Ambani saw this, Adani followed, Sekhseria (Ambuja) and others all have thrived in this State's growth. Mr Bhagwati has presumed that being Jains, whose religion does practice charity, that automatically the poor would gain. Unfortunately, statistics do not show this improvement  in the condition of the poor. On most social sectors, Gujarat lags way behind other States.As one wag stated, in Modi's Gujarat, he has worked not for the 5 cr  Gujaratis but for the Gujaratis who have more than 5cr! It is now known that some of these big guns have used their wealth to build huge 23 story residences, and schools for the elite, &  hospitals for the rich which are operated as profit centres.
Mr Bhagwati's hypothesis  that with high growth, the State will have the funds to help the growth of the poor has not worked in practice.
But does it work that way? Dr Ram Guha, the historian, has made a comment that high growth has given high expectations for the under privileged . The rural masses wants have increased for appliances, food habits, mobiles etc etc which are based on what they see on the TVs by ads as well as sitcoms. Mr Amartya Sen perhaps feels that the growth should be inclusive and should flow upwards with basic schemes for education, health, electricity, roads etc parri passu. This is not just a "left" concept but one that needs to be understood when we have 65% percent of our population in our villages. At the same time, to finance these schemes the only resort is to get long term foreign investment in various sectors. Does appear dangerous but this is the policy advocated by Mr Modi as well but opposed by the BJP. It was the NDA manifesto that included the need for FDI even upto 100% in retail but now they oppose even their own policies. They do not realise that this negativism can pose a big problem if at all they come to power.. They have Modi's model of growth as advocated by Bhagwati but that doesnt meet the expectations of the poor. The present Govt however on the recommendations of the NAC with grass ground level workers like Aruna Roy, Mander, Dreze etc have suggested certain actions like RTI, RTE, Food Security Bill, direct transfer of benefits etc to hasten the benefits to the less fortunate. It is strange that while opposing most of the Govt welfare schmes in the Parliament, Mr rRnath Singh while in the US has said that they will continue with these schemes if they come to power. Ws this to assure the US that FDI will be needed from them? Is there some hypocrisy here?
One of the corollaries of high growth, wants grow and inflation is bound to follow. Today, the money in the rural markets has increased and demand has increased. At the time ofthe last election, Dr Pranoy Roy and Mr Shekar Gupta  who traveled along the length and breadth of the country found that the rural incomes had risen! Those companies who meet such a demand are making huge profits.Demand has increased but supply constraints due to poor infrastructure is bound to create inflation. Besides,  the heavy dependence on imports of goods whose prices are on the increase also contribute to inflation.
Everyone knows the cure but the fear that the private enterprise will take advantage of such a situation and not improve the lot of the poor, creates suspicion and fear to give  free access to opportunities. In such a situation the bureaucracy plays its negative role.

The way seems to be in between that of Mr Bhagwati or Mr Sen. Who is right - I leave it to you!