NEW DELHI: As November 8 drew nearer this year, the air was thick with expectations and apprehensions. Many people thought Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take some other shock step against black money on the first anniversary of demonetisation A few days before the anniversary, Modi had himself raised expectations. Speaking at an election rally at Sundernagar in Himachal Pradesh, Modi said, "Their worry is that the benami assets like land, flats, shops they have kept hidden like Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are not going to be spared. Therefore, they are creating an atmosphere so that before Modi raises a storm over benami assets, they observe Black Money Day and mislead the people."That was an ample hint that he would announce a crackdown on immovable benami property on November 8. But nothing happened. There was no televised address to the nation.Yet, away from the headlines, the government has quietly started acting against benami properties . Unlike an all-out attack as it happened in case of demonetisation, Modi has given a cold start to the war on benami properties.On Tuesday, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman Sushil Chandra said tax department would scrutinise everyone who had property valued above Rs 30 lakh. That can blow the cover on most benami properties. The recent crackdown on shell companies also involves action against benami properties held by such companies.The concerted operations against benami property, both movable and immovable, have resulted in attachment of assets worth Rs 1,833 crore by the I-T department till October.But why has Modi not started with a big bang when a crackdown on immovable benami property can create a mass spectacle and get him major mass support?Perhaps Modi has learnt his lessons from demonetisation. While the government expected a lot of illegal cash to just turn into worthless paper overnight, black-money hoarders deposited most of it with the help of conniving bankers.A mega and sudden crackdown on benami property may fizzle out soon due to conniving officials and lack of institutionalised processes and, of course, data. After passing the law against benami property last year, the Modi government has taken several steps to identify and seize benami properties. Tax scrutiny of those owning property more than Rs 30 lakh in value is just one step. Generation of data on benami assets is another process that has begun.A big crackdown on benami property will have the high visibility of demonetisation without any impact on common people. It can be more helpful to Modi in elections than demonetisation. Perhaps Modi wants to save it for the next Lok Sabha elections. He has pressed a cold start but can turn it into an all-out war at any stage. It can assume the proportions of a crackdown once the government has institutionalised processes and gathered and analysed enough data.Modi's ability to turn government action into a big spectacle is not lacking in case of benami properties. He could be waiting for the right moment and the critical mass.