Seen as a strong driving force in domestic politics to garner the support of the majority, Populism is characterized by its appeal to the ‘common people’ against perceived exploitation of the system by the ‘elites’ and is often nationalistic in rhetoric. But what happens when leaders who champion ‘Us’ (the people) versus ‘Them’ (the elites) policies end up implementing measures that primarily benefit the very elites they claim to oppose? Would the leadership’s populistic rhetoric then still resonate? The case of populism in India indicates that contradictions in populist leaders’ narratives eventually reveal themselves –leading to a natural decline in populism, albeit gradually.
In strong democracies where political institutions have borne the test of time, it is highly likely that the electorate would eventually get disillusioned with the fallacies of populistic and hyper-nationalist rhetoric, which is a means to unite people under one ideology for short term gains but isn’t a pragmatic approach for long-term stability. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ascent to power was fueled by the blend of Hindu hyper-nationalist fervor, promises of economic development, and pledges to combat the corruption of the elites. His leadership employed populist strategies such as demonizing political opponents, harping on a narrative of Hindu unity, and projecting himself as a relatable leader raised from humble beginnings, standing against corrupt elites and the status quo. How did this populistic aura that had turned Modi into an invincible force in Indian politics finally erode?
The Erosion of Modi’s Populist Appeal
The irony of Modi’s populism lies in the juxtaposition of his messaging with the apparent crony capitalism benefiting billionaires like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, former being the chairman of Reliance Industries, and the latter, chairman of the Adani Group, who have seen their fortunes swell substantially during the decade of BJP’s tenure. Modi’s portrayal of himself as a leader for the ‘common people’ stands in stark contrast to the substantial economic gains made by these business magnates in the decade of his stint in power. For instance, Adani’s net worth has surged dramatically, with his companies winning numerous government contracts, particularly in infrastructure and energy sector, increasing his wealth by about 230%, reflecting the deepening ties between the government and his business empire. Meanwhile, Ambani continues to expand his conglomerate’s influence in telecom, retail, and digital service sectors, benefiting from favorable regulatory changes and policies during BJP’s governance.
Moreover, Modi’s handling of the farmer protests in India also starkly contrasted with his populist image as a leader of the common people. This contradiction manifested in the government’s high-handed approach to dissent and the imposition of controversial farm laws without taking input from relevant stakeholders. Introduced in 2020, the farm laws aimed to reform the agricultural sector by deregulating the sale of produce and facilitating contract farming, portrayed by the government as a means to empower farmers and attract private investment in agriculture, supposedly offering farmers better prices and more opportunities. However, many farmers feared these laws would dismantle the minimum support price (MSP) system, which guarantees them a fixed income for certain crops, and would leave them vulnerable to exploitation by large corporations.
The government’s policies disproportionately benefitted the wealthy elite while marginalizing the broader population, further exacerbating people’s concerns regarding unemployment, inflation, and rising poverty. Arundhati Roy rightly said, “Maybe Modi believes it’s not a debate that should concern his voters because tens of millions of them are unemployed, live in abject poverty and will not comprehend what $100bn means.” Social and economic challenges have played a significant role in eroding the party’s support base, even in states that were formerly BJP’s strongholds. Not just that, Modi’s administration has also been accused of undermining democratic institutions. Reports of voter suppression, media censorship, targeting of journalists critical of BJP, and the politicization of institutions like the Enforcement Directorate raised concerns about the deterioration of democratic norms, translating into a loss of majority in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Verdict of the Electorate against Populism
The 2024 general election in India was a critical moment for Modi; despite the BJP’s initial confidence to cross the 370 mark, the election results revealed significant setbacks with the the biggest shock being losses in previous strongholds like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The decline in the parliamentary majority reflected growing public resentment with Modi’s policies; the electorate’s verdict appeared to be a response to both the economic hardships and the divisive politics that characterized Modi’s tenure. The unexpected results exhibited the power of the electorate and the limits of populism in sustaining long-term political power. This trend renders a clear message to the leadership: adapt to the electorate’s changing expectations and move towards addressing substantive policy issues. BJP’s strategy was, instead, continually marked by divisive politics and a hyper-nationalistic narrative, aimed at uniting a diverse, multicultural, and multi-religious society under the banner of Hindu unity, which proved to be futile in the long-run.
The fall of Modi’s invincible aura illustrates how populism can naturally decline in a strong democracy with an electorate that prioritizes tangible outcomes over rhetorical promises. As economic challenges mount, social unrest grows, institutional integrity is questioned, and the electorate’s patience with populist promises starts to wear thin. The process of free and fair elections in democracies with strong institutions enables voters to hold leaders accountable, eventually putting a check on populistic agendas that rest on flimsy foundations to begin with.
