Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s X handle (formerly Twitter) has registered an unprecedented milestone with more than a 100 million followers, leaving most world leaders far behind. The staggering scale of PM Modi’s social media reach is best appreciated when one looks at the cumulative reach of the rest of India’s political opposition that still falls below the hundred million mark. It is remarkable that PM Modi has sustained his digital engagement in a vibrant and competitive democratic environment where he and his government are put to social media trial 24×7 unlike leaders of authoritarian regimes and non-democratic nations. There is, however, a deeper democratic message in this digital milestone with global implications that goes well beyond the narrow prism of Indian politics.
In a world grappling with unprecedented challenges and political upheaval post-Covid-19, India’s recent general elections stand as a testament to the resilience and robustness of its democratic fabric. The re-election of Prime Minister Modi for a record third term underscores India’s commitment to democratic values and its ability to navigate turbulent times with stability and progress. This contrasts starkly with the political instability witnessed in several other leading democracies around the globe. India, the world’s largest democracy, has emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic not only intact but invigorated. The recent elections saw the incumbent coalition led by Prime Minister Modi securing a clear mandate, signalling a vote of confidence in his leadership and policies. This continuity in governance is a rare phenomenon in the current global political landscape.
In the United States, often considered the paragon of democracy, the political landscape has been nothing short of tumultuous. The 2020 presidential elections, held amidst the pandemic, saw the incumbent president, Donald Trump, voted out of office. Joe Biden, the Democratic challenger, won the presidency, but the victory was marred by accusations of electoral fraud and widespread scepticism. The transition was further complicated by the January 6 Capitol riots, a stark reminder of the deep divisions within American society. As Biden’s term progressed, his administration faced numerous challenges, including managing the ongoing pandemic, economic recovery, and a polarised Congress. Recently, concerns about Biden’s cognitive decline have been a subject of intense public scrutiny. His debate performances have been less than stellar, raising questions about his ability to lead and some calls for him to withdraw from seeking a second term. Moreover, the country has been deeply shaken by the dramatic assassination attempt on Donald Trump, adding to the atmosphere of instability. As the 2024 elections approach, Biden’s administration is trailing in opinion polls, reflecting deep divisions and uncertainties about the future.
In the United Kingdom, political upheaval has become a recurring theme. The Conservative Party, under Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and later Rishi Sunak, faced significant challenges. Boris Johnson’s tenure was marked by controversies, including the ‘Partygate’ scandal, which involved allegations of government officials flouting Covid-19 lockdown rules. This eroded public trust and led to his resignation. Rishi Sunak, who succeeded Johnson and Liz Truss, struggled to unite the party and the country. Despite efforts to stabilise the economy and manage Brexit-related issues, Sunak’s government was plagued by internal divisions and declining public support. In the recent general elections, the Conservative Party suffered a crushing defeat, with the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, winning a landslide victory. This dramatic shift in the political landscape highlights the volatility and discontent within British society.
France, too, has witnessed significant political turbulence. President Emmanuel Macron, re-elected in 2022, faced a tough battle in a run-off election. No candidate secured a majority in the first round, reflecting deep political divisions. Macron’s second term has been marked by social unrest and economic challenges. His government’s handling of pension reforms sparked widespread protests, further eroding his popularity. Recently, France held snap elections, which resulted in stunning reversals for Macron and his allies. The right-wing National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, came close to seizing power, signalling a shift in the political mood of the country. The rise of right-wing populism in France mirrors a broader trend in Europe, where traditional political parties are losing ground to more extreme and populist movements.
In stark contrast, India has demonstrated remarkable political stability. The re-election of Narendra Modi signifies continuity and a strong mandate for ongoing policies and reforms. This stability is not merely a reflection of electoral success but an indication of the robustness of India’s democratic institutions and processes. The high voter turnout in the recent elections is a testament to the vibrant democratic engagement in India in stark contrast to other leading democracies.
Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, also experienced significant political shifts. The incumbent coalition, led by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), lost the 2024 presidential elections to the Gerindra candidate by a significant margin. This defeat indicated a shift in political sentiment and a demand for change, mirroring the electorate’s desire for new leadership and direction. In Brazil, the political scene has been equally dynamic. The incumbent president, Jair Bolsonaro, was ousted in 2022 after a run-off election. Bolsonaro’s handling of the pandemic, characterized by denial and misinformation, significantly undermined his public support. The electorate’s dissatisfaction with his leadership led to the election of a new president, signalling a shift in the political landscape.
In Japan, the incumbent party managed to retain power in 2021, but only after changing prime ministerial candidates twice. This internal political instability within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) highlighted the challenges of maintaining continuity in leadership amidst a rapidly changing political environment. The Philippines saw the incumbent vice president losing the 2022 presidential elections to a challenger, marking a significant shift in the political landscape. The election reflected the electorate’s desire for change and new leadership.
In Germany, the ruling coalition recorded its worst losses in 2021, paving the way for a new chancellor from a third party that emerged as the largest after nearly two decades. This significant political shift indicated a demand for new leadership and a different direction for the country. Thailand’s 2023 general elections saw the incumbent prime minister’s party losing vote shares and seats to multiple opposition parties. This fragmented political scene reflected the electorate’s desire for change and new leadership.
South Africa experienced a significant political shift in 2024 when the ANC lost its majority for the first time in 30 years. This marked the end of a long era of dominance and signalled a major political shift in the country. Italy’s incumbent government was voted out in 2022, with the opposition coalition winning a majority. This reflected the electorate’s desire for change and new leadership. Colombia’s 2022 presidential elections saw an opposition left-wing candidate winning for the first time after a run-off. This significant political realignment indicated a demand for new leadership and direction.
South Korea’s incumbent party lost the 2022 presidential elections to the opposition, demonstrating the electorate’s demand for a new direction. Spain’s 2023 general elections resulted in no party gaining a majority, with the incumbent party finishing second behind the opposition in both seats and vote share. This led to a hung parliament, reflecting a fragmented political landscape.
India’s democratic journey post-Covid-19 serves as a beacon of hope and stability in a world beset by political turbulence. The re-election of Prime Minister Modi with a clear mandate underscores the strength and resilience of Indian democracy. While other leading democracies grapple with instability and turmoil, India stands tall as a model of democratic continuity and progress, charting a path forward with confidence and unity. In Prime Minister Modi’s Digital Century, with hundred million followers on X, lies not merely a social media milestone but a powerful example to the world on sustaining citizen engagement in a competitive democracy through creative use of technology for developmental goals.
The writer is the former CEO, Prasar Bharti. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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