The average Indian loves Modi. He is India's most liked leader since Indira. How people are looking at it: > raging pandemic It is not his fault. (to some ex

The average Indian loves Modi. He is India's most liked leader since Indira. How people are looking at it: > raging pandemic It is not his fault. (to some extent they are correct. Covid and India, was like lighting a match in a haystack. Central Govt.'s response to Covid has been far less shambolic than the numbers make it look) > Massive recession Modi gets to blame it on Covid. Demonetization and an unclear fiscal policy have just as much to do with it. So, he is only 50% correct. > Potential war with China I don't exactly blame him for this either. He seems to actually have bipartisan support for this. China is pretty much trying to take over Indian land, so the reaction is warranted. > Crackdown in Kashmir Kashmir in Modi's era is a weird mix of success and failure. The removal of article 370 is a great idea that would allow Kashmir to finally reintegrate properly. The opposition to it was also muted, since it was a bipartisan goal of both Indian national parties. Modi just had the mandate and right votebank to do it. The reintegration process however, was slower than expected, and led to a period where Kashmiris experienced loss of freedom that was looked down upon by many. It has been getting better, but it could still be faster. > Internet bans Can I say, I absolutely approve of these in India. The pace of spread of mis-information on mom&pop groups on whatsapp is unbelievable. There are many bad faith actors who use crises to incite riots. A few hour internet or whatsapp blackout is absolutely essential to govern in a reasonable way in India. __________________ Modi is not good for India. I do not like him. But, the west and Indian left-elite completely miss what's wrong with him. The rising popularity of Modi while the whole left-establishment shouting that his time is over is as clear as it gets. So, I'll enumerate what I think Modi's biggest issues are, in ascending order. 1. Lack of seasoned/qualified generals to run a full cabinet. (the death of Jaitley, Sushma, Parrikar made it worse) 2. Over-reliance on India's tired and stagnant bureaucrat class to make up for it, instead of external experts. 3. Homogenizing the Hindu community at large, to form a bipolar nation (Hindus vs Muslims = BJP vs Congress). 4. Centralizing control (very Indira-esque... really, to undertand Modi, just ask : "what would Indira do") _________________ Modi didn't happen out of nowhere. The complete incompetence of the Indian National Congress at mounting anything resembling an opposition is primary to Modi's rise. A hero only exists, when they have a demon to kill. As long as the INC continues to try to draw from the drying well of nepotistic 'Gandhi-name' goodwill, it will continue down the death spiral they are in. If there was a silver lining, maybe Modi will force the rise of a more socially open and meritocratic left in India.