Opinion | How the Indian opposition’s Modi obsession is hurting the country

Recent opinion polls indicate that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are poised for victory in the 2024 elections, solidifying their hold on power for a third consecutive term. Political analysts predict the BJP and its allies could secure between 300 to 350 seats, comfortably surpassing the 272-seat threshold for a parliamentary majority.

India, under Modi’s stewardship, has unquestionably experienced significant economic advancement, growing from being the world’s 10th-largest economy to the fifth largest. According to S&P Global Ratings, India is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030.

Modi’s implementation of free-food programmes and substantial subsidies targeting farmers, women and the impoverished has garnered him widespread populist support. Two notable achievements – the successful hosting of the Group of 20 summit and India’s lunar rover landing – have elevated Modi’s standing on the global stage.

Nevertheless, apprehensions have been raised about Modi’s governance style, characterised by tendencies towards autocracy. Recent alterations to the process of appointing election commissioners, which excluded the chief justice of India from the selection committee, have drawn scrutiny over the fairness of such appointments.

Moreover, accusations of stifling press freedoms and targeting critics through corruption allegations have generated significant concern. Criticism extends to the perceived unequal treatment of politicians facing corruption charges, with some individuals seemingly receiving leniency after affiliating with the ruling party. Such instances of preferential treatment undermine the credibility of India’s democratic institutions.

Notably, the Supreme Court of India invalidated the electoral bond scheme, deeming it unconstitutional. Under this scheme, companies and individuals could anonymously donate funds to political parties. The ruling BJP emerged as the primary beneficiary, having collected more than 82.5 billion rupees (US$990 million) since 2018, while the main opposition Congress party received less than a quarter of that amount.