The Rise of Modi, Part 2: How India’s Leader Came Back From the Brink
May 14, 2024
auto_awesome
Discover how Narendra Modi turned his political crisis into an opportunity, leading him to become one of India's most powerful leaders. The podcast explores Modi's journey from Gujarat to Prime Minister, his strategies in unifying the Hindu vote, and his focus on promoting Hinduism. Learn about India's economic growth, governance successes, and challenges under Modi's leadership.
Modi leveraged post-riots support by focusing on pro-Hindu campaign, leading to significant electoral victory.
Modi's economic reforms in Gujarat laid the foundation for his national ascent, appealing to entrepreneurs and boosting his popularity.
Deep dives
Modi's Rise to Power After Gujarat Riots
After facing accusations of not doing enough to stop violence in Gujarat, Narendra Modi utilized the riots aftermath to solidify his political support by running a pro-Hindu campaign. This approach resonated with the Hindu majority in the state, leading to a significant electoral victory. Modi strategically focused on improving the state's image by wooing India's top entrepreneurs to invest in Gujarat, boosting its economy and his popularity.
Modi's Economic Success and National Ascent
Modi's emphasis on pro-business measures and economic growth in Gujarat laid the foundation for his national ascent. His performance in fostering economic development, along with his charismatic campaign style, propelled him to become the prime ministerial candidate for the BJP. Subsequent landslide wins in national elections further strengthened his position, allowing him to implement his Hindu-first agenda while maintaining support from business leaders and world figures like Elon Musk.
Implications of Modi's Policies and Future Prospects
Modi's policies, including scrapping Jammu and Kashmir's special status and passing the Citizenship Amendment Act, have sparked protests and raised concerns about minority treatment. Despite criticisms, Modi's popularity remains high due to his economic achievements and anti-corruption stance. Continuation of his Hindu-centric approach, mixed with economic development priorities, could lead to prolonged BJP rule in India, influencing issues related to religious tensions and minority rights.
In 2002, Narendra Modi was facing the biggest political crisis of his career. But in the aftermath of riots that left more than 1,000 people dead – most of them Muslims – he saw an opportunity to turn his fortunes around. He would go on to become one of the most powerful leaders India has seen in decades.
Host K. Oanh Ha, Bloomberg’s Sudhi Ranjan Sen and author Nilanjan Mukhophadyay trace how Modi and his government have been able to transform India into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.