Modi 3.0, T&C apply

A changed reality for Modi govt in its 3rd innings is by no means rise of a new phenomenon. It's a return to old normal where even majorities had to routinely wrestle with storied million mutinies

- SHEKHAR GUPTA

After 23 years in power, 13 of them in Gujarat as chief minister, this will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first experience of governing in an environment of contested politics.

The most fiercely contested new space will be the 18th Lok Sabha, set to convene later next week.

Despite the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA's) comfortable majority, the rejuvenated and united Opposition INDIA bloc will match the numbers and throat-power of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mr Modi, and the BJP under him, has never had to deal with such a challenge either in the Gujarat Assembly or in New Delhi. The timetested method of the Modi-led BJP, to shout down, suspend or expel Opposition members en as with 146 in masse ― December last year - will no longer be available.

Some of the most important laws were passed by near unanimous voice votes in Opposition-mukt chambers of Parliament. The three new criminal laws are among the most significant examples. These come into effect from July 1.

All Bills will henceforth be fully and contentiously debated and put to vote.

Even areas where unanimity was found on the basis of the political rivals' shared "trade union" interest, such as the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, will now face a challenge. Parliamentary committees will change character. It is easy to understand, therefore, how critical the choice of the new Speaker will be.

Prominent political strategist (or political aide as he prefers to call himself) Prashant Kishor has gone wrong with his somewhat hasty prediction of an easy and large BJP majority. But the second significant change he foresaw will turn out as right as the first was wrong: That even with this big majority, the BJP would face popular discontent, Opposition action. As for his third - that Brand Modi is in decline - let's hide behind the oldest cop-out of the opedist: Only time will tell.