India Prime Minister Narendra Modi
By Daniel Elombah
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is probably the world’s most popular leader. According to a recent Morning Consult poll, 78 percent of Indians approve of his leadership.
The next three highest-ranked leaders, from Mexico, Argentina, and Switzerland, generate approval ratings of 63, 62, and 56 percent, respectively.
It is not hard to see why Modi is admired. He is a charismatic leader, a masterful orator in Hindi, and widely perceived as hard-working and committed to the country’s success. He is regarded as unlikely to turn to nepotism or corruption, often attributed to the fact that he is a 73-year-old man without a partner or children. Modi has few genuine competitors. His power within his party is absolute, and his opponents are fractured, weak, and dynastic—a quality usually equated with graft. Whether it is through maximizing his opportunity to host the G-20 or through his high-profile visits abroad, Modi has expanded India’s presence on the world stage and, with it, his own popularity. New Delhi is also becoming more assertive in its foreign policy, prioritizing self-interest over ideology and morality—another choice that is not without considerable domestic appeal.
From the middle of April until early June, staggered over the course of several weeks, the world’s biggest election will take place. More than 960 million Indians—out of a population of 1.4 billion—are eligible to vote in parliamentary elections that polls strongly suggest will return Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power for a third consecutive term. Continue Reading…
Modi’s success can confuse his detractors. After all, he has increasingly authoritarian tendencies: Modi only rarely attends press conferences, has stopped sitting down for interviews with the few remaining journalists who would ask him difficult questions, and has largely sidestepped parliamentary debate. He has centralized power and built a cult of personality while weakening India’s system of federalism. Under his leadership, the country’s Hindu majority has become dominant. This salience of one religion can have ugly impacts, harming minority groups and calling into question the country’s commitment to secularism. Key pillars of democracy, such as a free press and an independent judiciary, have been eroded.
Yet Modi wins—democratically. The political scientist Sunil Khilnani argued in his 1997 book, The Idea of India, that it was democracy, rather than culture or religion, that shaped what was then a 50-year-old country. The primary embodiment of this idea, according to Khilnani, was India’s first prime minister, the anglicized, University of Cambridge-educated Jawaharlal Nehru, who went by the nickname “Joe” into his 20s. Nehru believed in a vision of a liberal, secular country that would serve as a contrast to Pakistan, which was formed explicitly as a Muslim homeland.
Are there popular African Presidents or Prime Ministers?
African leadership is diverse and dynamic, with each president bringing unique perspectives and policies to their role. Among the notable leaders, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt has been recognized for his efforts in attracting international investment and extending the Suez Canal, despite concerns over political freedom.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan stands out as the first female head of state in East Africa, advocating for environmental conservation, anti-corruption measures, and inclusive governance.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda is credited with the nation’s remarkable post-genocide transformation, focusing on economic growth, good governance, and technological advancement.
In Seychelles, President Wavel Ramkalawan prioritizes climate change and sustainable development to balance tourism with environmental preservation.
Lastly, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia took office amid economic challenges, aiming to unify the nation and foster development. These leaders exemplify the varied approaches to governance across the African continent.
In contrast to PM Modi, Senegal’s newly elected president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has been noted for his polygamous family structure, which he has publicly acknowledged. This has sparked discussions and varying opinions on the subject within the country and beyond. It’s important to recognize that the practice of polygamy is a complex issue, deeply intertwined with cultural, religious, and personal beliefs, and it reflects the diversity of matrimonial practices around the world. The conversation around polygamy in Senegal and its representation in politics is part of a broader dialogue on cultural traditions and modern governance. Continue Reading…
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