Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed two years in office. Like US President Barack Obama, Modi also rode to power on “audacity” of hope. After two years, the voters and political rivals are questioning him over his two years of achievements.
His two years in power have fluctuated from extreme adulation to extreme criticism. Like any other leader, Modi also has his highs and lows, some achievements to flaunt and some controversies to hide.
Highs of Modi Government
Brand Modi helped BJP to win Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections within six months of him coming to power at the Centre. He got crucial bills like Real Estate and Aadhaar Bills passed in Parliament. The Land Border Agreement (LBA) with Bangladesh was finally signed and re-drawing of boundaries with the eastern neighbour became a reality after almost 70 years.
His government has been so far scam free with no major allegations of financial corruption or nepotism. He has consolidated his hold over both the government and the party, silencing his critics and rivals.
His initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, Swach Bharat, Yoga Day, Beti Bachao Beti Padao, Jan Dhan Yojana, etc. have yielded mixed results.
BJP’s win in Assam and opening of its account in Kerala Assembly have convinced the party that Brand Modi is still strong.
Another major feather in his cap has been the signing of the deal to develop Chabahar port in Iran which means India will no longer depend on Pakistan to reach Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
Lows of Modi Government
The first major blow was BJP’s complete demolition at the hands of Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in Delhi elections in February 2015. It took some sheen off Brand Modi. A few months later, the BJP suffered yet another humiliating defeat in Bihar at the hands of Nitish Kumar–Lalu Prasad combine even though Modi had campaigned extensively in the state. He has failed to get the contentious Goods & Services Tax Bill passed in Parliament.
Motormouth MPs and ministers like Sakshi Maharaj, Giriraj Singh, Sadhvi Niranjan, General VK Singh and Uma Bharti caused him much embarrassment in the last two years. Their remarks on various issues led to a huge furore. He is also accused of not doing anything to rein in his colleagues.
His olive branches to Pakistan yielded nothing. Pakistani leadership embarrassed him by continuing with terror attacks and other subversive activities across the border. The unprecedented drought in over 200 districts has also raised serious doubts over the efficacy of his government.
Recently, the BJP miserably failed to make any impact in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry Assembly polls.
Controversies Galore
In the last one year, Modi has battled controversies on a daily basis. The suicide of PhD scholar Rohit Vemula at the Hyderabad Central University, sedition charges against some JNU students, debate on nationalism, Bharat Mata Ki Jai controversy, minority issues, revocation of President’s rule in Uttarakhand by the Supreme Court, National Herald case, failed foreign policy in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, etc. have also attracted sharp criticism. His many foreign tours have also come under attack by the opposition.
Modi has three more years to go before he faces another Lok Sabha election which will decide his and BJP’s future. If India receives a good monsoon this year and the BJP manages to do well in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab Assembly elections in 2017, Modi can heave a sigh of relief and can say that he has delivered.
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