Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consecutive victory in the world’s largest democracy is not only a recordbreaking achievement in India but also in the entire world. He is the only leader in the broader democratic world, post-World War II, who has been elected for a third consecutive term after completing the full tenure of each previous term and with a consistent vote share in each election.
It’s true that India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had scored a hat-trick in the 1962 elections. But the vote share of the Congress party he led in elections decreased and his personal appeal and leadership were severely dented after the Chinese aggression that followed his ‘India-China Bhai Bhai’ policy.
In contrast, the vote share of the BJP under Modi has remained intact and his leadership qualities have remained unchallenged despite the Congress-led opposition’s false narrative and campaign of calumny against him. According to the latest Ipsos IndiaBus PM Approval Rating Survey the rating of Narendra Modi rose to 75% in February 2024 from 65% in September 2023.
Russia, North Korea, Iran and Iraq may call themselves democracies, but if we leave them aside and talk about Western Europe, Japan, North America (except Cuba), South America (only a few countries), South Africa, Israel and South Korea, then Modi’s victory has a different place among global leaders after World War II.
There are very few leaders in the democratic world who have had the opportunity to win three consecutive elections after World War II. Most have experienced a decline in their vote share and popularity ratings.
Modi’s hat-trick has acquired a special significance in the backdrop an unprecedented global churn and uncertainty after the Covid-19 global epidemic, followed by still raging wars in Europe and the Middle East. While the restless public is favouring more change than continuity, the world leaders have welcomed the return of Modi as the Prime Minister for the third time.
Global leaders cutting across countries, including US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reacted enthusiastically due to their personal relations with Modi. The fact is that to date no less than 121 world leaders have congratulated him, including 83 heads of state and heads of government.
In addition, the top leadership of organizations like the European Union and UN bodies like the WHO, the P-5 and the QUAD leaders have called him up and hoped that India would lead the world fight global challenges.
All understand that getting elected for the third time in a turbulent world is an extraordinary achievement and their response to Modi’s re-election is directly proportional to their expectation from India. In a year that is likely to witness critical elections in the UK, the US and other major economies, Modi’s return ensures the continuance of his pro-growth, pro-people and pro-peace agenda.
During the last 10 years India under Modi has emerged as a major global player. Today, India is the world’s fastest growing economy which is leading in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Modi’s third term will enable it regain its status of “Vishwaguru” (torchbearer of human civilization).
