Book assesses PM Modi's achievements since 2014
Narendra Modi's achievements since 2014. In «Modi: The Challenge of 2024 — The Battle for India», author Minhaz Merchant draws on his meetings with Modi since 2012 to decode the prime minister's thinking on economic reforms, geopolitics, secularism and democracy ahead of what could be a historic 2024 Lok Sabha election.
The book, published by Amaryllis, also examines whether the Opposition's strategy to present a united front can derail the BJP's juggernaut.
Merchant insists this book is not a biography of Modi.
«It focuses on Modi's first two five-year terms as prime minister.
After almost a decade in power, how successful has Modi been in reforming the economy? Is his foreign policy in an increasingly complex world establishing India as a major global power?» he says.
Summing up Modi's prime ministership, Merchant writes, «Over the past nine years, Modi has evolved from a state leader to a national leader to a deified leader and finally to a world leader. In doing so, Modi has used Vajpayee's playbook: hard Hindutva warrior during elections; pro-poor messiah at home; and sober global statesman abroad.
»Thus we see Modi's fiery version in election campaign rallies.
That is followed by a messianic touch: providing free food and subsidies to 80 crore distressed Indians. And finally, a statesmanlike role in global affairs as leader of the G20."
According to the author, the 2024 Lok Sabha election could determine the course of Indian politics for the next decade.
«With India set to be the world's third largest economy by 2026-27 behind the United States and China, 2024 could prove an historic turning point,» he says.
If Modi secures a third term as prime minister, he will be the first Indian leader since Jawaharlal Nehru to
