This refers to T C A Srinivasa-Raghavan's column "'Give me now leave to leave thee'" (Text & Context, May 10). I don't think that a decisive prime minister can be helpless or let down by his ministers and advisors, provided he keeps his ears to the ground and does not work with his nose in the air.
By nature, Indian people are accommodating and passive as long as they are neither considered foolish. They can tolerate their leaders' inefficiency, failures and even callousness to some extent but not their arrogance. Unfortunately, Narendra Modi could not slough off these attributes of his personality. People might be angry with his predecessor, Manmohan Singh, for not being assertive in the United Progressive Alliance government. But they do not hate him because of his low profile and humility.
Undoubtedly, Modi interacts more with the public directly than his counterpart in the previous government. But still, people feel more talked at than talked to.
From day one, Smriti Irani was not considered fit by people for a sensitive ministry such as human resource development. But Modi is sticking to his choice thinking that her removal will amount to his admission of a mistake. That everything he does is considered pro-business is also because of his obduracy and tactlessness.
Every prime minister has his own favourites in the government, depending on their utility. But they should not be considered more equal among equals. Their visibility and importance in the government and the party at the cost of other leaders are bound to create rivalry and tension in the echelons of the organisation.
Tarsem Singh Hoshiarpur
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