It’s time for PM Modi, BJP (Party), NDA Cabinet and BJP CMs to recalibrate, otherwise the current set up may soon lead to further electoral surprises – and disillusionment. First off, full marks to PM, the Statesman. He’s done almost everything right to position India strongly and positively in the comity of nations. It’s effectively been a one-man charismatic show. However, the issues start here itself. Strategically, security is what needed to be ‘pushed’ and promises received, and economics should have been our quid pro quo – given our demographic dividend and demand. However, it is more economics that has been ‘pushed’ - that too not strategically, but pleadingly. 'Please come and make in India’. No foreign businessman or multinational will come on mere words, even from a PM. They deal with enough of them. It should also be obvious to PM Modi and his team that even Indian businessmen and corporates have not ‘lined up’ – in fact they too are in the ‘wait and watch for more change on the ground’ mode. To get foreign investment, PM Modi needs to first make India economically stronger. The foreigners should want to come. Therefore, For, the big investment needs to first begin at home..and it surely can. The PM would be wise to remember the old dictum: ‘Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqdeer se pehle
Khuda bande se khud pooche bata teri raza kya hai’ (and we should be happy to have US, China, Japan..and even Pakistan ask us that). It is therefore time for a domestic Maha Bharat Summit. Modi should invite all CMs and the ‘top’ 100 Industry leaders (including youth entrepreneurs) from across India for a 3-day Seminar on ‘Made in India’. With this initiative, the PM should let it be known to the public at large that business and wealth and profit are ‘good’. If he can fete the top CEOs in the US, surely India’s industry captains deserve the same, if not more. He needs to remove the hypocritical bureaucratic and political ‘mind shackles’, which believe that the rural vote banks will be scandalised by such a move. Bharat is perhaps even more aspirational today than India.
Let the outcome of the Summit be:
1) pproval of all pending (more than 30 days) projects of Industry;
2) doption of a village by each of the 100 business leaders, for a period of 3 years;
3) etting up of a new greenfield project worth at least Rs 100 crores, under Public Private Partnership (PPP), by each of the 100 leaders (preferably at least one project in each State).
This will kick start a new investment cycle, and also be a good platform to check on the promised changes in the ease of doing business. Foreigners and FDI will surely follow.
Separately, there is a need to calibrate the role of Modi as a Prime minister – vis a vis the Cabinet.Today there is apparent gridlock almost everywhere, until first the PM has spoken (virtually decided) on a topic. This one-man-show will not allow the new team to develop. In States where it rules (including Delhi, in a manner), what has the BJP done at ground level in the last 4 months? Has any different local action been taken on food prices, corruption, civic issues or security? That is what people will vote for during the Assembly elections, and the absence of action on these fronts will slowly lead to disillusionment with the BJP. Why couldn’t Delhi be the showpiece for change - right under the nose of the Central govt.? If AAP could start multiple initiatives in 100 days, why couldn’t the BJP? If BJP is unable to win, or become the senior partner, in Maharashtra or Haryana, politics at the Centre, Party and States will begun to churn uneasily. Groups and cliques may form. Allies would be more difficult to manage – this, at a time when Rajya Sabha numbers are important for many required big bang reforms.
PM Modi is the ablest Captain for the 5-Year Test Match and has incredibly shown that, in this testing mode, he can almost win single handedly. However, for the One Year Match he needs to let his team members play their game more freely, as per their skill and expertise.
But first, the Maha Bharat Summit.
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