To Modi, with love (and some anger)
If you are a towering figure like Narendra Damodardas Modi, everything everywhere is about you. In any case, you are narcissist enough to attribute all successes to yourself, hence every failure is naturally yours. And, in a country like India where emotions run high, even a one-hour power cut is termed Modi's doing. So, it is only right if junta doesn't give him maafi after yesterday's failure.
Yesterday, though, anti-incumbency won, Yogi Adityanath lost
As expected, after yesterday's wins, the media is gloating about Rahul Gandhi's new found magic. He showed dignity, but he is not an achiever, by no stretch of imagination. He didn't win, anti-incumbency did. And, BJP didn't lose, Yogi Adityanath lost (perhaps, by accident?).
Karnataka was a warning, yesterday was disaster written all over
Even though the Indian electoral in Hindi heartland (no less) rejected Yogi's Hindutva, but the buck/cow/narrative stops with Modi. The star-campaigner Yogi yelled because he was given a free hand. If Karnataka's loss was an ominous warning, yesterday's have disaster written all over. Modi has to now change his style. Since everyone is an expert these days, here's my unsolicited bittersweet advice - from Chaudhry to chowkidaar.
Don't ignore your core voter base, the Middle Class
It is common knowledge that middle class in this country has been ignored for decades. When Modi was chosen in 2014, it was expected that he would carve a new path, and not follow the pro-poor party Congress' style. In his arrogance, disconnect with aam-aadmi and single-minded focus to win every election, he has ignored his core-voter base. What is the thought here: He will come to us two months before Lok Sabha elections, make false promises and we will vote for him?
Either build the Mandir, or don't. But, stop the noise
On the extremely sensitive Ram Mandir issue, there are three kinds of sensible Modi supporters: a) Ones who want the Mandir built, without any violence. b) Ones who know it is a political jumla, but will be happy if it is built. c) Ones who don't care about it. It is foolhardy to expect Modi to take a conclusive stand on it, his 56-inch chest notwithstanding. But, right now, with his stoic silence and his party-members' garbled noise, can he tell us which supporter kind is he catering to?
Come out of your rabbit hole, PM sahab
It is ironical that a PM like Modi who is known for his oratory skills has not conducted any press conferences whatsoever, in his entire tenure. Either he is an extremely insecure person who thinks he can't handle impromptu questions or he absolutely hates the Lutyens' media. But, as the leader of the largest democracy, we demand him to address the media, we want him to hear our mann ki baat, too.
Sack incompetent ministers, and listen to Dr. Swamy
You are the sum total of the people you spend most time with, and Modi has surrounded himself with the most incompetent people. Amit Shah is not an economist, Smriti Irani is not the most efficient leader and Arun Jaitley will go down in history as the worst Finance Minister of India. And, what do I even write about Shaki-can't-a Das? Can someone as smart as Modi not see it? Why does he not value a genius like Dr. Swamy?
You are not the chaiwala anymore, respect people's mandate
Does Modi still think he is a chaiwala? If yes, he must be the most ungrateful person on earth. If not, then why does he keep reminding us his erstwhile profession? Can he come out of this self-pity mode? And, while we are at it, he should also be told to stop blaming Nehru for everything. We know Gandhis are incompetent, but we are waiting for him to show his competence. About time!
