Narendra Modi the exception amid global anti-incumbency wave: Fareed Zakaria

Veteran journalist and geopolitical analyst Fareed Zakaria credited PM Modi's enduring popularity and strategic political approach for defying the anti-incumbency trend sweeping democracies worldwide.

In Short

• Fareed Zakaria says Modi's popularity, outsider image key to his success
• Speculates India's multi-party system helped divide anti-incumbency votes
• Says BJP's narrower victory seen as a call to recalibrate politics

In an era where voters worldwide are turning against parties in power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has bucked the trend to secure a historic third term, according to veteran journalist and geopolitical expert Fareed Zakaria.

In an exclusive interview with India Today News Director Rahul Kanwal, Zakaria delved into why India did not align with the global wave of anti-incumbent sentiment, which saw voters in the US, UK, and other democracies rejecting their ruling parties.

"Pretty much every incumbent party throughout the world suffered significant setbacks or was voted out of office. Modi is probably the most important exception," Zakaria said.

Unlike the two-party system that dominates American politics, India’s multi-party democracy played a crucial role in PM Modi’s victory in the Lok Sabha election, Zakaria suggested.

"The first thing, fundamentally, is India does not have a two-party system. And if there had been a two-party system where every BJP person was up against one non-BJP MP, it is likely that the BJP would have lost power. Because what happened in India is the anti-incumbency vote often got divided between two or three major parties," he explained.

Another key reason, Zakaria noted, is PM Modi's enduring popularity and his perception as an outsider.

"Modi has bucked the trend because I think he is personally very popular. Even though there's a feeling of anti-incumbency, things have been too chaotic, inflation was high, Covid was not handled well, he has somehow managed to maintain the sense of trust and connection with the Indian people. And it's because, at the end of the day, Modi is still seen by Indians as something of an outsider. He's seen as somebody who came from outside the world of political elites," he said.

Zakaria added, "It's a testament to his skill that despite being Prime Minister for 10 years, he's still viewed that way."

MODI 3.0: A NEW APPROACH

While the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) formed the government for a third consecutive term, the BJP, which leads the coalition, received a smaller mandate. This narrower margin of victory served as a wake-up call for the BJP, forcing it to recalibrate its politics, Zakaria opined.

"Modi viewed the dramatic loss of his majority as a wake-up call," Zakaria said. "You see a renewed determination and emphasis on getting the politics right.”

He pointed to the BJP’s intensified campaign efforts in assembly elections, describing them as “utterly organised, determined, driven,” and significantly outspending the opposition.

Zakaria also observed a renewed focus on 'vikas' (growth and development). "The political determination of Modi is coming through very strongly. In policy terms, Modi is doubling down on the growth agenda. He is continuing to try to push infrastructure, all those things, which is actually very welcome."

He added, "The elections did not result in Modi saying, okay, I'm going to abandon all this because it might be disruptive, or I'm going to entirely go to pandering populist politics of giving away freebies. It's not that. There is a real growth agenda, and I think India benefits from it."

However, Zakaria said there was little change in the Prime Minister’s approach to social issues, particularly concerning minorities.

"So, in a way, with Modi, you see what you get. And people who are hoping you get a softer, gentler Modi on issues like minorities, I don't see that,” he signed off.