Firm and Focused Leadership Keeps India on Course

Modi's style connects with Indians and creates a unique persona internationally

- SHASHI SHEKHAR

(Live peacefully, eat your bread; else you face my bullets).

These words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, broadcast live from the border district Bhuj, went viral globally. His detractors may insist these sound like a punchline from a film, but messages such as this one fill a large section of Indians with pride.

Was it a coincidence that it was the day Modi completed 11 years as PM of India? He completes the first year of his third term next week.

On 9 June last year, when Modi assumed office, his opponents felt a golden opportunity was just around the corner to snatch power from the BJP as that party lacked an absolute majority on its own. A year later, that idea seems hollow and distant. Consider the Waqf bill. Despite reluctance from NDA allies, the Janata Dal-United (JD(U)) and Telugu Desam Party, BJP neither backed down nor toned down its aggressive stance. Modi has crafted his communication and administrative style assiduously.

In all his years in power since 2001, he has kept using a language that establishes him as a straight-shooting, strong leader among his voters. Traditionalists may frown upon his style, but in a democracy, voters decide what's acceptable or not. What can be a bigger stamp of approval than that Modi hasn't lost a single election to date?