Modi and his political twins

Narendra Modi is one of the most closely followed politicians of the 2014 General Elections. The Prime Ministerial candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party, Modi is known for his campaigning techniques which have brought him a sizeable following, but he is also widely criticized for his authoritarian style of governance, his anti-welfare economics, and his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Some political commentators and scholars drew parallels between Modi and other popular world leaders, looking for which leader Modi resembled the most in political and personal style.

Modinomics and Reaganomics

American political commentator, David B Cohen believes that Modi’s economics bears a close resemblance to Reaganomics.

Both Reagan and Modi made their mark at the state level first – Modi as the chief minister of Gujarat and Reagan as the governor of California – and later, aimed for bigger positions. Both leaders’ economics advocate as unfettered market, Cohen says. They both figure welfare programmes has low priority on the government agenda.

These leaders were also dismissed by the intellectual elite as a
light-weight”. Reagen was often accused of being racist just as Modi is thought to be communalist. Both Reagen and Modi show very little patience for official rules and formalities.

Nixon and Modi

Scholar Rob Jenkins says that Modi and Nixon share quite a few personality traits – such as their tendency for denial, love for secrecy and contempt for the “elite”.

Modi and Nixon are secretive about their personal lives, Jenkins says. Modi did not publicly admit to the existence of a wife until April, choosing that bachelorhood helped his “humble” chaiwallah backgroundimage. Nixon, too, chose to play his modest Quaket roots only when it suited him.

Both worked with a very small group of trusted aides. Both leaders remained contemptuous of the intellectual establishment and the political royalty, the Kennedys in the US and the Gandhis in India.

Another trait which Jenkins pointed out is their tendency for denial, Nixon with Watergate and Modi with the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Modi and Thatcher

Many political observers have remarked on the similarities between Modi and Thatcher – both with an authoritarian streak, an anti-welfare and pro-market agenda, and impatience with bureaucracy. Most comment on his resemblance to Margaret Thatcher than any other Western leader.

They come from very humble homes. A lot of Modi’s ideals “bear the Thatcher stamp”, such as his belief in a small government and the virtues of privatization. Also, his system of economics which gives little to no importance to welfare, and pushes a market driven policy platform.

Thatcher was also infamous for her authoritarian ways and despise for opposition, which closely mirrors Modi’s projected persona.

Modi and Indira

Historian Ramachandra Guha said that Modi is very similar to the Indira Gandhi of 1971 to 1977. Both leaders, Guha says, seem to want to make their party, government, administration and country an extension of their personality.