Democracy's Crossroads: The Rise of Modi and the Resignation of Rahul Gandhi

 As his only serious rival resigns, does Narendra Modi’s rule threaten to undermine the ‘world’s largest democracy’?

Narendra Modi, who won a second term as prime minister in May, has ruled India since 2014

In a seismic political shift, Narendra Modi's BJP clinched an unprecedented victory in India's lower house of parliament earlier this year, marking a monumental triumph for the ruling party. With a commanding 303 seats secured in May's elections, Modi soared to victory, leaving his main contender, Rahul Gandhi of the opposition INC, trailing far behind with only 52 seats. In a stunning turn of events, Rahul Gandhi, the face of India's opposition, stunned the political landscape by resigning from his leadership role within the Indian National Congress party.

Gandhi's resignation speech echoed with humility and accountability: 'As the leader of the Congress party, I bear the responsibility for our defeat in the 2019 elections,' signaling a momentous shift in India's political dynamic. The resignation of Rahul Gandhi has sparked intense speculation about the future trajectory of India's democracy, raising poignant questions about the balance of power and the fate of opposition politics in the world's largest democracy.

Modi's landslide victory in the lower house of parliament earlier this year sent shockwaves through India's political landscape, solidifying his position as a formidable force in Indian politics. With a staggering 303 seats secured in the elections, Modi's BJP left his rival Rahul Gandhi and the Indian National Congress trailing in the dust, underscoring the dominance of the ruling party. Rahul Gandhi's unexpected resignation reverberated across the nation, punctuating a tumultuous period in Indian politics and igniting debates about the future of opposition leadership in the country.

Gandhi's departure from the helm of the INC marked a pivotal moment in Indian politics, signaling a potential shift in the power dynamics and paving the way for new narratives to emerge in the political arena. As the dust settles from the electoral upheaval earlier this year, India finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the aftermath of Modi's landslide victory and the unexpected resignation of Rahul Gandhi, ushering in a new era of uncertainty and intrigue in the world's largest democracy.

While acknowledging his personal flaws in leading the opposition, Gandhi sounded a cautionary note about the potential jeopardy facing Indian democracy, refraining from explicitly labeling it as a dictatorship.

He asserted that the BJP was "systematically crushing the voice of the Indian people," warning of "unimaginable levels of violence and pain for India" if Modi secured re-election. "Our democracy has been fundamentally weakened," he lamented, expressing concern that elections could become a mere ritual. Other opposition leaders have been more direct, highlighting the surge in hate crimes under Modi's tenure and his tight grip on media outlets.

In March, Delhi’s chief minister compared Modi to Hitler, decrying the labeling of dissenters as 'anti-national'. Another former chief minister warned of a potential dictatorship under Modi's second term. Political analyst Pratap Bhanu Mehta warned of a transition from democracy to dictatorship, emphasizing the erosion of trust between people and leaders. Amidst these concerns, is India truly on the brink of dictatorship under Modi, or is he simply surfing a populist wave?

What has Modi’s premiership been like?

Modi's ascendancy from the humble roots of a tea stall owner has indeed reshaped the political landscape of India since he assumed office in 2014. Kapil Komireddi, in his analysis for The Guardian, suggests that India has undergone a seismic transformation under Modi, arguably the most significant since the tumultuous events of 1991.

Yet, amidst the fervor of change, Modi's tenure has been marred by a curious absence of substantial political or social reforms. Despite lofty promises made by the BJP prior to his election, the reality has fallen short.

Modi's grand vision to propel India to the forefront of the global smart cities initiative, promising revolutionary advancements in waste management, green energy utilization, and public transportation, appears to have evaporated into thin air, leaving little tangible progress in its wake. Similarly, his commitment to rejuvenate the revered Ganges River from years of neglect and pollution remains largely unfulfilled.

However, it is Modi's contentious pledge to generate a staggering 20 million jobs annually that has ignited the fiercest debates. In a stunning twist, Al Jazeera's report in January revealed a stark reality: unemployment in India skyrocketed to a 45-year high of 6.1%, casting a shadow over Modi's ambitious promises and stirring widespread discontent among the populace.

Then why is he popular?

Modi's remarkable allure doesn't stem from his policy triumphs but rather from his adeptness at reshaping the narrative on any political issue. This is glaringly evident in his cultivation of what The New York Times dubs as "brawny patriotism" in India, a sentiment often fueled by Hindu nationalist fervor, sometimes at the expense of marginalized communities. As reported by The Observer, Modi's deep-rooted affiliation with the Hindutva movement, which prioritizes Hindu culture above all else, has marginalized India's sizable minority populations, including its vast Muslim community.

Foreign Policy highlights Modi's 2019 re-election campaign as emblematic of his inclination to harness this wave of Hindu nationalism, relying more on ethno-religious rhetoric than tangible developmental agendas. In what was termed a "notably nasty campaign," Modi and his supporters capitalized on stirring up Hindu sentiments, painting Pakistan and Muslim migrants as existential threats to India's security. One BJP official even likened Muslim migrants from Bangladesh to "termites," further underscoring the divisive rhetoric.

Modi's strongman persona was further solidified by his response to a deadly suicide bombing in Kashmir. In a bold move, he ordered targeted airstrikes on militant camps in Pakistan, winning accolades from the nationalist Hindu voter base and galvanizing support for his leadership.

In sum, Modi's ability to tap into Hindu nationalism and project a strong image has reshaped India's political landscape, often overshadowing his policy achievements.

Does this make him a dictator?

The assessment of whether Modi's leadership leans towards dictatorship hinges on our definition of the term. 

From an authoritarian viewpoint, there are concerns that Modi's recent landslide victory might embolden him to push for significant alterations to India's constitutional framework. This could potentially consolidate his own power and establish Hinduism as a de facto state religion, as suggested by Foreign Policy. Such actions draw parallels to other leaders who started with moderate platforms but veered towards autocracy once in power. Angana P. Chatterji, author of "Majoritarian State," argues that Modi's BJP is systematically silencing dissent, treating rival parties not as opponents but as enemies. This stifling of opposition voices is a hallmark of dictatorial regimes. Another characteristic of dictatorship is the cultivation of a cult of personality, which Modi appears to embody. Project Syndicate describes his as the most extraordinary in modern Indian history, fueled by a formidable social media presence, a compliant mainstream media, and an elaborate propaganda machinery.

Critics like INC politician Kumar Ketkar accuse Modi of coercing the media into supporting him through financial inducements and intimidation tactics. Ketkar even compares the media landscape under Modi to an "intellectual concentration camp." Even Modi's personal image feeds into this narrative. During his 2014 election campaign, he famously boasted about having a chest measuring 56 inches, a metaphorical assertion of his strength and leadership prowess, as reported by Scroll.in.

While each of these elements raises eyebrows and invites scrutiny, whether they collectively signal a slide towards dictatorship remains a subject of debate and interpretation.

Will this negatively affect his reign?

Indeed, among Modi's staunch supporters, the accusations of authoritarianism and bigotry seem to fall on deaf ears. Paradoxically, the very policies and ideologies that have propelled Modi to unprecedented popularity also draw criticism for fostering an environment of intolerance and authoritarian tendencies.

Through his bold and confrontational stance, particularly towards Pakistan, Modi has cultivated an image of a messianic figure and a resolute leader. This perception resonates strongly with many, who believe in his ability to steer the nation towards prosperity, as observed by political analyst Prakash Bal. The BJP has adeptly mobilized a significant portion of the electorate around their religious identity, fostering a sense of political and cultural tribalism that presents a formidable challenge for opposition forces, especially in a country where Hinduism prevails as the dominant faith.

Al Jazeera notes that Modi's popularity remains unwavering in BJP-dominated northern states and is on the rise in southern India, with the majority of citizens endorsing his leadership. Under Modi's tenure, political discourse has become increasingly intense, with once-taboo ideas gaining acceptance. A Pew Research poll from 2017 revealed that support for autocratic rule by a strong leader was higher in India than in any other country, including Russia under Putin.

In a startling turn, pro-BJP outlets have even published articles advocating for dictatorship as the solution to India's woes. Markandey Katju, former chairman of the Press Council of India, advocates for a dictatorship led by a select group of modern-minded leaders, arguing that parliamentary democracy is ill-suited for a population he deems intellectually backward.

As India grapples with these polarizing sentiments, the debate over the nation's future trajectory continues to intensify, with democracy itself coming under scrutiny as a viable system of governance.

Have we gone past the point of no return?

Some observers have drawn parallels between Modi's leadership style and that of other world leaders often labeled as authoritarian dictators, such as Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte. Critics point to Modi's nationalist rhetoric and the exploitation of patriotism to rally support, raising concerns about his commitment to democratic principles.

Former INC leader Ashok Gehlot has criticized Modi's approach, suggesting that he manipulates patriotism for political gain, particularly among the youth. The departure of charismatic figures like Rahul Gandhi has left the INC, the BJP's main rival on the national stage, in a precarious position, further fueling concerns about the consolidation of power under Modi's leadership. However, some argue that fears of Modi's descent into authoritarianism may be exaggerated and reflect broader global trends towards populist nationalist leaders. Foreign Policy notes that India's federal structure imposes constraints on the prime minister's power, limiting the extent to which Modi can implement his agenda unilaterally.

While Modi's reelection may pose challenges to India's liberal traditions, it is unlikely to signal their demise entirely. The presence of checks and balances within India's political system suggests that the impact of Modi's return to power may be tempered by institutional constraints and opposition forces.

Overall, the debate over Modi's leadership underscores broader questions about the balance between strong leadership and democratic values, highlighting the complexities of governance in a diverse and rapidly evolving nation like India.