Namaste
My political awakening was only the last few years, largely thanks to influential Libertarians and conservatives.
But it is homed enough now to understand what typically drives voters in one direction or the other in a Republic such as the US or in a Democracy as in India. Taking these generalizations in mind, in context of this future of Modi's success AFTER this tremendous victory:
(1) "It's the economy, stupid"
This is a popular saying in America. And I believe it will be the number one factor in perception of Modi over the next 2 years. The voters in India will have an eye on the economy. In one way, it is unfair to judge Modi's results in this regard, because while it is true that government can destroy an economy through government action and misregulation, a single government cannot "save" an economy either when the issue is on a global level, and certainly one "executive" or PM can only give incentive for an economy to "save itself" but cannot be held responsible too far beyond that, and most importantly of all, a mere two years is too short to judge, yet Modi will be judged in terms of the Indian economy over the next two years.
It will not be fair, but it is the reality of politics, and of dirty politics as well as Modi will face many enemies inclusive of Congress, muslim extremists, communists, illegal aliens from Banglsdesh, and some "break away" elements of South India. But of all the leaders for India, Modi is the best "adult in the room" to do the best as humanly possible for the economy of India.
I pray the economy of India is strong over the next two years as the enemies of Modi mount their assault which is surely coming, beginning as early as two months from now. These same anti-Modi elements are going to also try and foment Islamic extremists to cause big trouble for which the pro-Congress left wing media will try and blame Modi.
Which brings up my second point.
(2) "It's what they don't report that is the real news"
The media in India, though biased against Modi in heart and mind, has been tolerably fair to Modi.
That is out pf pure fear of the Indian voters who clearly favor Modi.
But that is about to change.
Soon their bias will come into full play. Even if the economy is doing well, they will work on a daily basis to put a perception in the mind of the Indian voter that it is misery. They will over exaggerate and focus daily on the "plight of the poor", and the "price of petrol and potatoes".
Every riot or communal stress, often purposely fomented by Congress and Islamic extremists, will be front of page and blamed on Modi.
But the greatest trick will be the oldest trick of all, so predictable by a phony media.
And that is what they will not report. Anything good from the Modi government, anything positive, will simply not be reported on at all. Nothing. It will be news, the true news, but it won't exist. The crime uf omission.
The only way to counter this is, Indians in the private sector, who love the truth and India, need to form a new "third-way" and balanced news cable and internet active news agency. In part this has already begun. Not to be the propagandists of Modi, but not to be the phony news as well.
Modi is, and will be, one of India's greatest of all. I hope there will be someone reporting on this.
Om Namah Sivaya