As Prime Minister Narendra Modi approaches his 75th birthday, a media frenzy, possibly fuelled by political biases, has ignited debates on who might succeed him, given that Modi has often set 75 as the age for retirement in his party. It’s a fact that Modi has enforced this retirement benchmark within his ranks, often relegating senior leaders to advisory roles or offering them constitutional posts like the Vice Presidency or governorships. However, it is crucial to recognize the irony in these discussions, as Modi himself, who has led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to three consecutive electoral victories, continues to break records and elevate India on the global stage. Under his leadership, India has not only seen significant economic growth but also a rise in military strength. The country has garnered respect from international powers, financial institutions, and the United Nations, a level of recognition unprecedented since independence in 1947. Modi’s firm stance against territorial threats from China and Pakistan, particularly regarding the disputed Ladakh region and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, has bolstered India’s position on the global map. As India emerges from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, its economy is projected to grow at an impressive rate of 6.5% to 7%, while other global giants like the US and China still struggle. Modi’s tenure has proven to be one of the most successful in independent India’s history, and as the nation looks forward to its centenary in 2047, there is a growing sentiment that his leadership is indispensable. Despite the expectation that he will step down at 75, many believe he should remain in office until India achieves its goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2027.
In this context, the relevance of so-called surveys and opinion polls, such as the “Mood of the Nation,” comes into question. With a sample size of merely 40,000 in a country of 140 crore people, can these surveys truly capture the national sentiment? The figures seem more like an attempt to create sensational narratives than a reflection of reality. Furthermore, these surveys fail to address critical questions, such as why Modi shouldn’t continue if he remains in good health or why he shouldn’t be allowed to break his own retirement promise if the nation still needs his leadership. Critics and political adversaries, like AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, who suggested that Modi is campaigning for Amit Shah rather than himself in the 2024 elections, and the aging Subramanian Swamy, who tweeted about Modi’s impending 75th birthday, appear more interested in stoking controversy than engaging in meaningful discourse. It is also no secret that Indian media houses, regardless of their political leanings, have their own agendas, often aligned with specific political parties. The credibility of pre-poll and post-poll surveys has been repeatedly called into question, especially since Modi became the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. After two significant electoral defeats, the Opposition, comprising 28 parties with various legal and ethical challenges, has resorted to divisive narratives to hinder BJP’s majority. Despite the opposition’s prolonged agitations against policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the Farm Laws, Modi’s government has remained unwavering. The opposition, particularly the Congress, seems to have realized that their hopes of returning to power may only materialize if Modi steps down from the contest and remains a symbolic figure for the BJP. As the Modi-led NDA continues to advance initiatives like One Nation, One Election, and the Uniform Civil Code, the opposition’s attempts to derail these efforts appear increasingly futile. Efforts to fracture the NDA by swaying allies like the TDP are unlikely to succeed, as these allies are well aware of the high stakes involved and are unlikely to jeopardize their political futures by severing ties with the BJP-led coalition. In essence, the ongoing narratives and surveys seem more like wishful thinking than a true reflection of the political landscape. As India progresses towards a future of unprecedented growth and global influence, the focus should remain on substantive issues and achievements rather than on speculative and misleading stories.
