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Indian Political News: How Modi Won His Third Term but Lost His Base and Charm

by Pia

Indian Political News: How Modi Won His Third Term but Lost His Base and Charm

Welcome to Aware Naari, where we delve into important topics shaping our world. Today, we explore Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term victory and the factors behind his declining popularity. Despite his win, Modi has lost his base and charm, reflecting the challenges his government faced.

Modi's Three Terms: A Comparative Analysis

1

First Term (2014)
Modi’s first win in 2014 was a historic landslide, with the BJP securing 282 seats, the highest for a single party in three decades. This victory marked the beginning of his strongman image and nationalist agenda.

2

Second Term (2019)
In 2019, Modi capitalized on his strongman image and nationalist agenda, increasing the BJP’s tally to 303 seats. This further solidified his position as a dominant political force.

3

Third Term (2024)
In the 2024 elections, the BJP’s seat count dropped to 270, still a majority but reflecting a decline in popularity and support. This marked a turning point in Modi’s political journey.

Why Modi Lost His Base and Charm

1. Economic Struggles
Despite initial promises of economic growth and development, the Indian economy faced significant challenges under Modi’s leadership, including a slowing GDP, rising unemployment, and inflation.
2. Social Unrest
Policies such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the abrogation of Article 370 led to widespread protests and alienated minorities, particularly Muslims.
3. COVID-19 Response
The government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the second wave, was heavily criticized for inadequate healthcare infrastructure and poor crisis management.
4. Farmer Protests
The controversial farm laws led to prolonged protests by farmers, a significant voter base, damaging Modi’s rural support.

Why Modi Lost His Base and Charm

For Women
For Minorities
For Children, Elderly, and Poor

Top 3 Global Wins for India under Modi

1

International Diplomacy
Strengthened ties with major global powers including the US, Russia, and Japan, enhancing India’s strategic position on the global stage.

2

Climate Leadership
India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance and commitments to renewable energy have positioned the country as a key player in global climate change initiatives.

3

Economic Agreements
Successful negotiations of significant trade agreements, including the one with ASEAN, which bolstered India’s economic ties with Southeast Asian nations.

Top 2 Missed Opportunities by Modi Government

Employment Generation
Despite promises, the government failed to create adequate job opportunities, particularly for the youth, leading to widespread unemployment and underemployment.
Social Harmony
The government’s policies and rhetoric have often exacerbated social divisions, leading to increased communal tensions and a sense of alienation among minorities.

Modi's First Term: A Historic Landslide

1

Decisive Victory
In 2014, Modi’s BJP secured 282 seats, the highest for a single party in three decades, marking a historic landslide victory.

2

Nationalist Agenda
Modi’s campaign focused on a strong nationalist agenda, promising economic development and a departure from the previous government’s policies.

3

Strongman Image
Modi’s decisive leadership style and promises of change resonated with voters, establishing his strongman image.

Second Term: Consolidating Power

Term Year BJP Seats Total Seats
First 2014 282 543
Second 2019 303 543
Third 2024 270 543
In 2019, Modi capitalized on his strongman image and nationalist agenda, increasing the BJP’s tally to 303 seats. This further solidified his position as a dominant political force, consolidating his power and influence.

Economic Struggles: A Major Setback

Slowing GDP
Despite promises of economic growth, India’s GDP growth rate slowed during Modi’s tenure, raising concerns about the government’s economic policies.
Rising Unemployment
Job creation remained a significant challenge, with unemployment rates increasing, particularly among the youth, leading to widespread discontent.
Inflation Woes
Rising inflation eroded the purchasing power of consumers, further exacerbating economic struggles and impacting Modi’s popularity.

Social Unrest: Policies Spark Protests

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
The CAA, which granted citizenship based on religion, sparked widespread protests and alienated minorities, particularly Muslims.
Abrogation of Article 370
The revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, led to protests and unrest in the region.

COVID-19 Response: A Crisis Mishandled

1

First Wave
The government’s response to the initial COVID-19 outbreak was criticized for being slow and inadequate, leading to a rapid spread of the virus.

2

Second Wave
The second wave of COVID-19 in India was devastating, with a severe shortage of hospital beds, oxygen, and medical supplies, exposing the weaknesses in the healthcare system.

3

Vaccination Rollout
While the vaccination program eventually gained momentum, the initial rollout was plagued by logistical issues and supply shortages, further hampering the pandemic response.

Farmer Protests: A Rural Backlash

1

Farm Laws
The government introduced controversial farm laws aimed at deregulating the agricultural sector, sparking widespread protests from farmers.

2

Prolonged Protests
Farmers, a significant voter base, staged prolonged protests, camping on the outskirts of Delhi for months, demanding the repeal of the laws.

3

Rural Support Eroded
The government’s handling of the protests and perceived indifference towards farmers’ concerns eroded Modi’s rural support base.

Authoritarian Image: Suppression of Dissent

1

Centralization of Power
Modi’s government has been accused of centralizing power and undermining democratic institutions, contributing to an authoritarian image.

2

Crackdown on Critics
Critics and dissenting voices have faced crackdowns, including arrests, internet shutdowns, and restrictions on freedom of speech and expression.

3

Media Control
Concerns have been raised about the government’s control over the media, with allegations of censorship and biased coverage.

Women's Welfare Initiatives

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
This scheme aimed to improve the welfare and education of girls, addressing issues like gender discrimination and female infanticide.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
This initiative provided free LPG connections to poor households, primarily benefiting women by reducing their exposure to harmful smoke from traditional cooking methods.

Initiatives for Minorities and Entrepreneurship

Stand-Up India
This scheme aimed to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women, encouraging minority business ownership.
Entrepreneurship Development
The government introduced various programs and initiatives to support and encourage entrepreneurship among marginalized communities.

Child Welfare and Nutrition Programs

Mid-Day Meal Scheme
This long-running scheme was expanded to provide free meals to children in government and government-aided schools, addressing malnutrition and encouraging school attendance.
Poshan Abhiyaan
This initiative aimed to tackle malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers through targeted interventions and monitoring.

Welfare for the Elderly and Poor

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana
This scheme provided senior citizens with a pension scheme, ensuring a regular income and financial security in their later years.
Ayushman Bharat
This flagship healthcare program aimed to provide health insurance coverage to millions of poor families, ensuring access to affordable medical care.

International Diplomacy: Strengthening Global Ties

1

US Relations
Modi’s government strengthened ties with the United States, enhancing strategic cooperation and economic partnerships.

2

Russia and Japan
Russia and Japan India also deepened its relationships with Russia and Japan, further expanding its global influence and strategic alliances.

3

Global Positioning
These diplomatic efforts positioned India as a key player on the global stage, enhancing its strategic and economic interests.

Conclusion: A Complex Legacy

Historic Landslide Victories
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic landslide victories in 2014 and 2019 cemented his political dominance.
Strengthened Global Ties
Modi oversaw a strengthening of India’s global diplomatic ties, with the country emerging as a key player on the international stage.
Welfare Programs
The Modi administration implemented welfare programs targeting women, children, minorities, and the economically disadvantaged.
Challenges and Criticism
However, the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the farmer protests exposed vulnerabilities in the government’s crisis management capabilities. Politically, the administration’s authoritarian tendencies and the suppression of dissent have drawn criticism.