Modi's doing a better job in Delhi than Gujarat
Is it that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all these years, was conserving his best for the job in Delhi? Perhaps yes.
By all accounts, Modi is doing better in Delhi in terms of governance than he did in Gujarat, whether it is core principles of good governance, transparency or performance audit of his team.
The transparency and primacy on merit that he has introduced in the selection of officials by dismantling the transfer-posting raj in Delhi proves this.
He did demonstrate commitment to merit and transparency in managing the bureaucracy in Gujarat too but not at this level.
The way he has reshuffled ministerial portfolios now is also further proof of his commitment to tough decisions. He did not hesitate to even clip the wings of someone like Smriti Irani, overlooking her political importance and solely focused on her performance.
The new methods of performance audit of ministers that he has reportedly mooted are also in contrast to his attitude towards ministers in Gujarat where he was prepared to put up with bad performance for political considerations.
His use of technology to supplement good governance is also of a higher quality in Delhi. So is the case with his communication with the common people. In Gujarat he relied more on physical public rallies. In Delhi is he relying on technology to remain connected with the people.
His highly popular and interactive web platform, MyGov, where ministries of his government invite suggestions on policies and schemes is a great example.
And so is his experiment of Mann Ki Baat where he interacts with people on All India Radio and even invites suggestions from them.
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| Modi relies on technology to remain connected with the people. |
His first year showed that he was dependent on the BJP wing of Delhi’s Lutyens' Club.
But with a series of decisions now, he is fast leaving that impression behind. The biggest change is in his attitude towards governance.
How the benefits of development will reach the last mile is now his major concern, and, in contrast to the past, he now considers the corporate route as one of the important ones and not the only one.
Financial inclusion schemes like Mudra Bank, Jan Dhan and Stand Up India, which are empowering and enabling schemes and not loan melas are evidence of that.
Observers say that when a new corporate project comes to the prime minister's notice, his first question is how many jobs it will create.
Modi might not admit, but he is taking a leaf out of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s life.
Shivaji first swept away middlemen in the form of landlords who were fleecing the common men, made himself popular amongst the poor by resorting to direct contact and then started implementing his vision of good governance with the support of the people.
However, despite the changes in his strategy and priorities, the central thread of Modi’s good governance vision remains the same - to bring the latent energy of every individual to the fore by a positive approach and by inculcating a sense of pride in him.
With an expected good monsoon following two back-to-back droughts and a little push in manufacturing and exports, the results will soon show on the ground.