In 25 years, has Modi made lasting changes?
As Narendra Modi marks 25 years in elected office, this article evaluates his governance style, focusing on his tendency to complete long-standing projects and set new political premises. It compares his impact to historical leaders who fundamentally shifted their nations' policy paradigms.
Why it matters
Evaluating the long-term legacy of a major political figure is essential for understanding the trajectory of Indian governance and the durability of current policy shifts.
T oday, on October 7, Narendra Modi completes 25 years as the head of an elected government, 12-and-a-half of them in Gandhinagar and 12-and-a-half in New Delhi. In all this time, he has never lost an election he contested. Consider how rare that is in a polity as competitive and diverse as ours, which has routinely shown governments the door after one term. But longevity is a statistic. The real question is whether Modi has altered India, its society and its people, in ways that will outlast him and whether he leaves behind a philosophy that will guide the future?
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