Modi’s popularity on the wane

It is just 16 months since the Modi government took over and it is already getting the ignominious tag of “a U-turn government.”
The latest U-turn of the Modi government came on Sept. 22 when it had to beat a hasty retreat and had to withdraw the Draft National Encryption Policy after an uproar by the opposition which accused the government of an attack on personal freedom.
The government had come under heavy attack on yet another controversial move on net neutrality or free and equal Internet that, if promulgated, would have changed the way Indian netizens consume the Web in near future. The government was forced to withdraw it.
What is surprising is that like in the case of net neutrality, the Modi government chose to embroil itself in the encryption policy cesspool knowing fully well that it would evoke wrath of people and political parties alike. It is strange that India, which is also seen as an IT superpower is being seen as pushing such regressive policies.
The government beat a hasty retreat on both proposed policy changes but the very fact that it decided to walk this distance showed its intentions. One doesn’t know whether it was a genuine error and a gross underestimation of people’s wrath for the second consecutive time on the same subject (though it is highly unlikely) or whether it was a trial balloon floated by the Modi government to sense the mood of the people.
In December last, when the Modi government had completed six months in office the Congress had come out with a sarcastic and damning booklet entitled “Chhe Mahine Paar, U-Turn Sarkar” (Six months after, U-turn government). The Congress had listed 25 U-turns made by the Modi government in its first 180 days in office, or an average of one U-turn every seven or eight days.
That time not many had taken the Congress seriously. Well, that was not reflective of the popularity of the Modi government as much as it showed the sheer rejection of the Congress party by the people. But almost 10 months down the line, the same question is being raised. No, it is not the Congress party which is raising this issue — simply because it does not have to.
Increasing number of people across the country are asking the same question whether the Modi government has already become a past master in the art of taking U-turns. The biggest U-turn by the Modi government is that of Land Acquisition Bill, which has given lot of ammunition to the opposition, particularly the Congress. Rahul Gandhi, vice president of the Congress party and the ever-hopeful prime ministerial candidate, cleverly launched a war against the Modi government on the issue of land acquisition, thundering that not a single inch of land will be allowed to be acquired by the government.
One year ago, Rahul’s threat would have gone down as an empty threat bereft of any meaning but this time the situation was much different. The government had declared its intention to go whole hog in pushing land acquisition bill even by taking an ordinance route. But Rahul Gandhi’s vociferous opposition changed the narrative completely and the Modi government was compelled to drop the proposed legislation like a hot potato.
This does not in any way show or prove the growing popularity of Gandhi. But it definitely shows the growing disenchantment against Modi.
Here is another stunning example of what all has changed in past one year for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. By the time you read this, Modi would be in the US on an official visit. Unlike last year when he made his maiden visit to the US as premier and captivated the entire Indians-dominated audience everywhere he went, this time the situation may be drastically different. Stung by the Gujarat government hard action against Hardik Patel, the Patel community in the US has now threatened to protest against Modi.
This is unbelievable. See how quickly time changes. However, whether Modi is actually doing very well or his popularity rating is declining among the Indian people is something that will be clear on Nov. 9 when results of Bihar elections would be announced.