Sycophancy is defined as flattery that is very obedient, or an indication of deference to another, to an excessive or servile degree. The word sycophant has its origin in the legal system of Classical Athens. The party that has ruled India for the most parts since indepence has a special fascination for sycophancy and sycophants. Congress loves sycophants just as Kings and Queens loved bards and raconteurs. But what about the current setup? What about PM Modi, does he love the ones who do things for him and praise him excessively? Let’s find out.

In a one of a kind message to the top bureaucrats of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked them not to propose more projects for Varanasi. PM Modi issued this statement while attending a meeting of secretaries from the infrastructure sector. The meeting which was called to review the progress of ongoing schemes was being chaired by PM Modi himself and the attendees included top bureaucrats from the country. PM Modi directed the bureaucrats to stop pitching ideas and projects concerning Varanasi only just because it was his constituency. He also advised the secretaries present to focus on the whole country equally as he asked them to distribute projects in a fair manner to the whole of India.

This message by PM Modi to the bureaucrats is the first of the ind issued by a Prime Minister to his subordinates. Governments in the past too have struggled with this problem where the bureaucrats behave like sycophants to gain acceptance and recognition in the eyes of the leader. The ministers in the government too choose to focus on their own constituencies more rather than focusing on the overall country in general. This is done with the objective to keep up the appeasement of the voters from the constituency which has elected them to power. Previous governments in India had this problem and allegations of preferential treatment meted out to people have always been doing the rounds. An official who did not want his name published said, “Ministers have greater preference for their states and constituencies since they have to win the next election. So, it’s natural that they would take special interest in their states getting good chunk of projects and works. This has been the development model for decades irrespective of who the key ministers have been in the infrastructure sectors where central government has greater liberty in executing works such as highways, railways, petroleum and natural gas,”

PM Modi’s statement sets a refreshing precedent in terms of equitable distribution of resources irrespective of the political leadership of a constituency. The Prime Minister might have won from a given constituency, Varanasi, but he is the Prime Minister of the whole country. The responsibility of developing the nation as a whole rests on his shoulders. India and not Varanasi should be his chief concern. It is exactly how he is looking after the matter as is expressed by the statements made by him in the meeting.

Of course, being his constituency the PM should assure that the development of his area too is taken care of but not at the cost of undermining the development of the rest of the country. Under the leadership of PM Modi bureaucrats have been given a greater say in planning and executing projects related to infrastructure. Meetings are regularly held in which the concerned officials update the PM about the developments which have taken place. The Prime Minister’s words have set a new precedent which if followed strictly in the years to come would help India to develop at a rapid pace and at in an equitable fashion for all states and areas concerned. It is also a stern denial to sycophancy so prevalent in the bureaucracy, a legacy of Congress era.