There are strange similarities between the rise of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India and Donald Trump as the President of United States. Both were opposed vehemently by the mainline media during elections and old guard politicians of their respective parties. Both apparently have "anti-Muslim" sentiments ingrained in them. Everyone thought/thinks that they'll be a threat to secular credentials of their free nation. A great many were/are busy predicting about their ineffectiveness, incompetence as well as eventual doom as the head of the state. While Narendra Modi has proved that he's certainly not a passing fad besides rising exponentially as a leader of international stature; Trump is yet to prove his mettle.
But why were a select set of people so anti in their approach to Modi or Tump? The answer is complacency. Change is the only constant in life. When people assume a comfortable position in the seat of power they grow complacent and see change as a threat. Politicians are often the most insecure lot. They need to win elections to survive and balance a great many stake holders to rise through the echelons, thereafter. It's dicey. Therefore, they expect a few things to remain constant. One of the important thing is ideas and ideals of their compatriots. When someone rises among their midst with a different set of ideas and ideals they see imbalance - a threat. And without having much time to retrospect they seek to fight that individual without much of a forethought. Voters on the other hand aren't as insecure as they are believed to be. They witness every politician; carefully observe their promises, effectiveness as well as credibility from time to time. While they don't believe in them; they make sure they get elected based on their ability to deliver on their previous promises. Every electoral battle has often proved how smart voters are.
Modi rose to power owing to his charisma as a politician with a clean image. As chief minister of Gujarat he had shown what he was capable of. He was chosen three times in a row - hands down. He must have done something right for this. Yet the media were pressing against his apparent "anti-Muslim" appeal. However, the greatest reason for his elevation as Prime Minister was the incompetence of his predecessors. India had seen phenomenal number of scams under the Indian National Congress led coalition government - United Progressive Alliance. There were dozens of them every month! If you watch it closely you'd see the rise was Trump was essentially due to corrupt image of Hilary Rodham Clinton, who also represented the President Obama's regime. Julian Assange's Wikileaks played a pivotal role to undo the anti-Trump sentiments although unconsciously while attracting the ire of masses against the corrupt Democratic Presidential nominee.
In the past the voters had tried giving the politicians a second chance to clean up their mess. But when that didn't happen; it was time for them to summon someone completely out of the system. Trump didn't sound like a usual politician - just like Modi. He didn't mince words; while for the old-guards it was rather too heretic - for voters it was a sign of something new. They have had enough of the niceties - it was time for action.
Just like Modi, Trump's opponents invested way too much in mainline journalists and tried everything within their purview to discredit them as corporate stooge, unhealthy for the economy and the nation - at large. Their assumption was that everything the media projects will be accepted by the voters as a truth. But then every politician who has undermined the intelligence of the voter has often paid it with his/her position. Voters are not fools. They have a mind; they apply it very well. And they say it through their verdict.
The most disturbing thing to watch is the anti-Presidential harangue by so called "political pundits" who have gone so far as to predict his "impeachment." This is complete nonsense. How can you predict something when the person is yet to begin, or has just begun, the work? What does this say about the wisdom and character of political fortune tellers?
Nevertheless, I hope President Trump to be an effective leader. Whatever he might have said about Muslims; it's not as bad as the way in which non-Muslims are treated in their so-called nations of Islam. Radical Islam is a threat - there's no need for second thoughts. But the solution must be something where non-radical Muslims aren't hurt. My fervent belief is that President Trump will learn from Prime Minister Modi; who has handled things very cleverly - at least thus far.
Nevertheless, even if you are anti-Trump you deserve to give him your wishes as the most powerful man in the free world. He has the mandate of the people - you ought to respect that!
Guest Author
The author is a Co-founder and CEO at Keybridge Global Education
