What has invoked the ire of this section is that the present government is dead against lobbying by interested groups.

There is an incessant talk on Mahagathbandhan and this is being touted as a be all and end all answer to all political problems and discourses in India. There is no talk of any common agenda except for anti-Modi rhetoric. There is some accompanying talk about saving democracy but without any elucidation. There is only a clamor for ousting Modi. But why this intolerance for Modi?

Delhi used to be at the center of a lobbying industry dominated by fixers. That is now a sunset industry.

The recently extradited ‘middleman’, Christian Michel, has taken the name of ‘Mrs Gandhi’ and ‘Son of The Italian Lady’ in relation to the Agusta-Westland Scam, the Enforcement Directorate has informed the Patiala House Court recently.

The context in which these terms were used is not clear right now. Yet, Congress has already started calling these false allegations and ED’s contention as PMO’s script. Almost simultaneously NCP and RJD have taken up the cudgels on its behalf and have started blaming PM Modi and BJP. Other opposition parties may be expected to follow suit. Even a section of media appears to be playing up their venomously ant-Modi views.

While it is understandable for Congress party to support them doggedly, it is not clear why the opposition parties and a section of media are so eager to do so. But it appears to be not so much a support for the Gandhi, but more of a stick to beat PM Modi with where they are joined also by a section of elite and intelligentsia.

What has invoked the ire of this section is that the present government is dead against lobbying by interested groups. Delhi used to be at the center of a lobbying industry dominated by fixers. That is now a sunset industry. So, the fixers who are a part of this section of the elite are extremely annoyed.

PM Modi has, for the first time since 1947, rolled back the tide of corruption. And while lower-level corruption may still be rampant, corruption in high places involving the Government has virtually come to an end. Modi’s role as a disciplinarian is being resented by this section used to utmost permissiveness.

Thirdly the tax evaders who have been severely impacted by Demonetization and GST are hell-bent on removing PM Modi. GST forms a virtually unbreakable chain of transactions right from the initial raw material, till the goods are sold to the consumer. This makes tax evasion very difficult. Demonetization, on the other hand, is a humongous reset button on the parallel economy, where every crook is forced to pay up and start afresh.

Fourthly it is the anti-Hindu Left that retains a strong place in journalism and academia, which became entrenched during the long period of the Congress rule and uses the rhetoric of the communist era. The Left is upset that it is losing power since Modi’s unexpected landslide election in 2014 and will do what it can to discredit his attempts to benefit the country.

Finally, the ‘Break India’ forces which include all secessionists in India and abroad including Pakistan. As Rajiv Malhotra puts it, India’s integrity is being undermined by three global networks that have well-established operating bases inside India: (i) Islamic radicalism linked with Pakistan, (ii) Maoists and Marxist radicals supported by China via intermediaries such as Nepal, and (iii) Dravidian and Dalit identity separatism being fostered by the West in the name of human rights which means U.S. and European churches, academics, think-tanks, foundations, government and human rights groups in fostering separation of the identities of Dravidian and Dalit communities from the rest of India. These forces had a free run until Modi came to power and would do anything to regain that position.

So, we need to be prepared for these aforesaid sections to rake all sorts of issues just to oust PM Modi.

Note:

1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.