MODI GOVERNMENT: SWOT ANALYSIS
- Strengths:
- Made BJP expand its base from Cow/Hindi belt to whole of India especially North East, South India & Bengal. No mean achievement.
- Eschewed dependence on fair weather friends/Allies e.g Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, TDP and even JDU.
- The image of BJP, hitherto considered as Upper Caste party, was totally overhauled by embracing OBC's, SC's & ST's. Focussed on their development & extended reservations to deserving groups.
- Reduced a National party i.e Congress to nonentity under Congress Mukt Bharat campaign besides marginalising regional parties like SP, BSP, TDP, NC, PDP etc,
- Tried to reduce corruption & nepotism in the country despite resistance by vested interests including politicians and bureaucrats.
- Increased vigilance on internal security of the country. No major Terrorist attacks happened except in & around J&K.
- Made special efforts to develop Indian defence system and prepare the country for any eventuality due to China-Pakistan military axis. In this effort modern fighter airplanes, tanks, guns, arsenal and clothing for defense personnel were purchased.
- Gave up Ostrich attitude towards enemies, Stongly resisted Chinese incursions on Northern Border. Struck back at Pakistan for sponsoring terrorist activities in & around J&K. Surgical Strikes yielded expected results.
- Integrated the country by abrogation of Art 370 & Art 35A besides separation of Ladakh UT to relieve it from Kashmiri hegemony. Kashmir Separatist leaders & their cheerleaders wearing secular masks were totally marginalized.
- Developed a strong sense of NATIONALISM among Indians which was found lacking generally.
- Took action against war mongering Left extremists especially Naxalites and reduced their influence on Indian minds.
- A rethinking on writing objective history of India was initiated with a view of giving proper place to all the dynasties who ruled India from North to South and from West to East besides giving proper place to those martyrs and freedom fighters who had laid their lives in freedom struggle against foreign invaders from time to time but had been hitherto ignored by Historians with vested interests.
- To further this aim Civilian Awards were given to deserving people working for the society in remote areas rather than celebrities who come to limelight due to media propaganda.
- Washed away from Indian minds the much hyped Socialism and Social justice which despite 70 years hardly bore any fruit since the number of poor and illiterate increased in number. In fact it was politicians and middlemen who amassed money. As a result India remained a laggard.
- Laid emphasis on MADE IN INDIA and gave incentives to industries and entrepreneurs in the country. Privatisation and PPP model was adopted vigorously to reduce government role in PSUs & for monetization of assets.
- Let large industries develop without victimization in order to develop proper industrial infrastructure in India and make it globally competitive. No unnecessary coditions or controls imposed.
- Emphasis on Skill development was an innovative idea. Youth instead of seeking unproductive degrees have now an option to equip themselves with proper employment oriented skills
- Development (VIKAS) became the key word in India during last 7 years.
- Initiated Digital India revolution. Substitution of Cash transactions by digital transactions was encouraged with an eye to reduce blackmarketing. Prior to that Demonetisation was done to unearth black money, one side effect of which was that new notes introduced are smaller in size saving crores to the exchequre.
- Exemplary performance was registered in laying a network of roads connecting remotest corners of the country and rapidly developing surface transport. Besides Roads, Railways and Airports have also registered an unprecedented growth in number, speed and quality.
- Laid emphasis on Tribal development and reached out to remote tribes.
- Innovative schemes introduced such as Housing for poor, Banking for all, Direct subsidy to farmers, Girl child education, Ujjwala Yojana etc.
- Introduced the much needed Triple Talaq Act and saved Muslim women from Male chauvinism and exploitation.
- Bravely faced the biggest challenge of CORONAVIRUS pandemic, acknowledged the work of Corona Warriors and eventually brought the pandemic under control. India developed a Vaccine against the virus for the first time despite immense lobbying and pressure from MNCs of the developed world.
- Weaknesses:
- Due to lack of belief in coexistence and coalition culture, forced their avowed friends to become their foes and even poached on them. Shiv Sena felt frightened as a result and separated their ways. So did Akalis and earlier JDU, the latter however returned back to the fold.
- Made too many promises in the initial phase of electioneering in 2014 which were unimaginable and couldd never have been achieved. Non-fulfilment of such promises still haunts the government. Its leader is nicknamed FEKU and many people don't trust the government for promises they make.
- Too much reliance on charisma of Narendra Modi who became a mascot for elections whether Parliamentary or for State legislatures. Regional leadership was neither created nor depended upon. Popular state leaders were stunted.
- Too many YESMEN were encouraged and established leaders in states were sidelined in many cases. As a result elections in many states were lost to opposition. Delhi case was a classic example and so was Maharashtra. Agreements reached with the allies should have been put in black and white.
- While luminaries like Advani, Joshi etc were eliminated, potential of stalwarts like Sushma Swaraj was never used optimally. In fact it was difficult to know who dealt with External affairs, PM or EAM.
- In order to introduce reforms rapidly, passed several legislations in hurry especially the three farm laws which resulted in a year long sit-in strike by farmers of Northern India. Ultimately had to retrace their steps and announce cancellation of farm laws. Even application of mind in case of Demonetization and Janta Curfew during COVID was lacking.
- Rate of growth of GDP during six years before pandemic was substantially less compared to previous six years. Reasons for eceonomic slow down were not analysed and action to invigorate economy was not taken.
- Created an image of being captive to crony Capitalists. Such image activated poor and lower middle class, trade unions, farmers and other groups who joined hands to dislodge the government.
- Aligned with PDP in J&K which turned out to be counter productive.
- Qualified and Intelligent people were not chosen for dealing with finance or RBI.
- Middle and small industries were ignored while too much emphasis was laid on large industries which resulted in slow growth in this sector besides unemployment.
- No proper action was taken for employment generation. The target of employment announced by government was never achieved resulting in turbulence among youth especially educated youth. Worse still the pandemic further caused escalation in unemployment.
- An atmosphere of Communalism, casteistism and sectarianism was allowed to grow unbridled which has dented the image of the government run by BJP which already has a tag of being a Hindu party.
- There is a feeling that present government has undermined the federal character of the country. Democracy demands cooperation between Centre, State and Local Self Government institutions.
C. Opportunities:
- Implementation of UCC and Family planning are two opportunities which need to be implemented. Instead frivolous CAA/NRC was attempted.
- The Coronovirus pandemic has exposed the fragile health sector of India which remained neglected all through. This opportunity has been seized by the government which has initiated making many AIIMS all over India besides developing indigenous vaccine and giving incentives to indigenous Research and Development besides Drugs sector.
D. Threats:
- India has lost neighbouring friends due to change in global scenario. China has used the opportunity to befriend them. Thus India has been encircled by hostile countries with backing of wealthier China.
- Possibility of war by China & Pakistan cannot be ruled out though India has already taught both countries a lesson against such misadventure.
- Hostile farmers can be detrimental to BJP and the government needs to be wary of them. Farmers is a large class without any borders of caste, religion or language.
- Political cum Bureaucratic vicious circle has developed over last 70 years supporting each other. This is the biggest threat faced by the present government which has not been able to make any dent in fixing corrupt politicians be it National Herald case, Chit fund case or Vasooli gate.
- Inability to restrain extreme right wing organizations from creating communal discord can become volcanic in due course and we may face a bigger problem in the country. It is better to ensure that SAB KA SATH, SAB KA VIKAS, SAB KA VISHWAS AUR SAB KA PRAYAS filters down to the lowest level in BJP in order to create a harmonious and peaceful environment in the country which is a must for growth and development.
