Just-in-time virus: Opportunities for a govt that walked into cul-de-sac

The pandemic has resolved many of Mr Modi's issues - protestors have dispersed, state govts are queuing up for support, and all economic problems can be laid at the door of Covid-19 - writes T N Ninan

The Covid-19 epidemic has come just in time to save the first year of Narendra Modi’s second term. The year had begun in a strong economic headwind; growth of the non-government part of the economy had been reduced to just over 3 per cent in two quarters till December. Politically, Mr Modi had walked into a cul-de-sac with his amended citizenship law, which sparked extended protest sit-ins by citizens, provoked firm push-backs from state governments and state assemblies, and risked the decennial Census. How the narrative has changed in a few weeks!

The protestors against the citizenship law have dispersed,