Following coalition dharma is not a sign of a weak government

The necessity of reforming land and labour markets is likely to face road bumps, and that is where Modi will have to stand firm

- BHAVDEEP KANG

Narendra Modi's "strong leader" brand is a significant aspect of his mass appeal. The Opposition's bid to weave a "weak government" narrative around Modi 3.0 is aimed at undermining that image. But coalition or minority government and strong leadership are not mutually exclusive, as the past three decades have shown.

Just how hamstrung is the PM in the latest iteration of the NDA government? The cancellation of lateral entry recruitment for high-level government posts, the rollout of the Unified Pension Scheme, the referral of the Waqf Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, and the withdrawal of the Broadcasting Services Bill are seen as signs of a government unsure of itself. Likewise, the special package for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget is perceived as kowtowing to its principal allies, the TDP and JD(U).

Right off the bat, the PM had signalled that he would not dilute his approach to economic, administrative and social reform. Modi 3.0, he said, would see "big decisions". He reaffirmed his commitment to a Uniform ("secular") Civil Code, and to the flagship schemes of his government. He refused to back down on the Agnipath Scheme for short-term service in the Indian Armed Forces, and slammed the Opposition for demanding a rollback.