New Delhi:
On May 26, 2014, Narendra Modi took oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India after registering a massive win in the Lok Sabha elections that year. According to a recent survey, 74 per cent people still prefer Modi, the graph of Congress on the other hand, has continued to show a downfall. Now, as Modi has completed two years in office, here we list the major ups and downs:
UPs:
No charges of corruption
So far, the Modi government has a clean record when it comes to corruption and it has been one of its highest points. The NDA government has not seen any of its members getting tainted by any graft charge so far, unlike the UPA II which witnessed a number of corruption charges from the second year.
Foreign policy
Talking about the foreign policy, Modi government has performed quite well in the external affairs. The government’s foreign policy has helped India achieve a global stature. Modi has reached out to big powers in the world including US, Russia and China, thus taking India to the farthest corners.
Initiatives for social and economic uplift
The Narendra Modi government has taken several initiatives, many of which are missions, in issues related to entrepreneurship, clean environment, social security and others. The aim of several initiatives is to nurture a skilled and enterprising work force. Though many have criticised some of the schemes as ineffective, but the Modi government has made an inclusive policy-making a popular means of governance.
Carrying forward initiatives of previous govt
The Narendra Modi government has not scrapped the initiatives that were taken by the previous Congress-led governments. The Aadhar and MGNREGA scheme have been adopted. This smart move by the NDA government has helped it gain both economically and politically.
Tackling subsidies
The Narendra Modi government has been focussed on tackling subsidies and improving agriculture and deserves a patting for the same. Giving up subsidies for the projection of a universal gain is realistic, though the results might not have been materialised.
Reaching out to people using social media and radio
Prime Minister’s reaching out to the people of the country using social media and radio is another significant aspect of the Narendra Modi government. Modi has reached out to both urban and rural people with regular use of social media as well as the events like Mann Ki Baat on Radio.
DOWNs:
Govt is mostly about Modi
The biggest drawback of the NDA government is that it is mostly about Narendra Modi and a handful of individuals including ministers like Sushma Swaraj and Piyush Goyal.
Finance ministry has failed to deliver as per expectations
The finance ministry has not delivered as per the expectations. For instance, when it imposed tax on PPF, it generated huge controversy and criticism. The flip-flops have ended up in lost confidence by the investors in the economy.
Inability to take Opposition into confidence in Parliament
In Parliament, the Narendra Modi government has failed to take the Opposition into confidence. Each Parliamentary session witnesses Opposition and the government locking horns over some or the other issue. This ends up ruining the entire session, thus damaging the prospects of economic reforms (GST Bill).
Intervention of RSS in various issues
The RSS is using well the days of saffron rule to propagate its own thinking and way of life all across.
PM Narendra Modi's selective speaking
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s choice of speech on issues has not gone down well with many. For instance, Modi did kept mum on the Dadri lynching issue but expressed his views on it only keeping in mind the Bihar election as supported BJP.
Overall, if we look at the ups and downs, after two years, the Narendra Modi government’s record has been on the better side. With three years remaining, it will be interesting to see how it does in the future.
