Modi Vs Manmohan?

The key to successful leadership today is influence and not authority- Kenneth Blanchard.

As much as I would like to believe the above quote, it pains me to see that the Indian political formation today seems to be in total disregard to the above quote. The head of the Indian coalition government at the centre, Dr.Manmohan Singh, neither seems to have authority nor influence over either the political or economic discourses that the country is witnessing nowadays. Belligerence is indeed a trait of a great leader, which Singh clearly lacks. The fact that he doesn't seem to have any control over either his ministers or the allies doesn't help either. The prime minster is not "prime" after all. The absence of a clear authority over all the other ministers of the cabinet is clearly not a good sign for the country's politics. This combined with the vagaries of coalition politics is really taking a toll on the indian economy and the policies that govern it. Instead of speeding, the reform process has taken a back seat with the opposition playing disruptive politics even as the allies are busy man handling the congress.

Everyone seems to have an opinion which is contrary to the ruling party. The stubborn allies as well as the opposition fail to understand that the decision to allow FDI in retail is an urgent requirement of the economy which is under a severe stress due to global as well as domestic conditions. If indeed the opposition had stood with the government on this issue it would have not only allowed much needed foreign capital into the country but also would have sent a very strong signal to the investors outside as well as within the country about the positive steps of the government thereby improving market sentiments and the economy. 

Consider this, apart from the riot taint of Godhra, Narender Modi, the high flying CM of Gujarat, has done an exceptional job in managing the development and economic affairs of his state. With the state continuously on a double digit GDP growth rate of about 11% and the many developmental projects combined with business friendly environment of the state is a testimony to the vision and leadership skills of Modi. Not only does he posses authority but also has influence over all his ministers and party constituents. This in itself is a trait of a great leader who believes and does the best for his people. Choice is ours:

A meek and silent puppet Prime Minister or a resilient leader with mass influential skills and the ability to take us to double digit growth rates? Modi is my man for the post of PM. Who is yours?

-Sunny Gusain